Ixxxvi INTRODUCTION. 



nest is deep in proportion to its width -externally three inches and a half deep, internal depth a little under one 

 inch and three quarters, width within one inch and two-tenths ; mouth slightly contracted. Externally it is formed 

 of fine fibrous <^rass woven together, and attached by one side, and bottom, to some thin upright twigs ; internally 

 it is thickly lined with a felt, formed of the pappus of some composite flower. When on the wing, the appearance 

 of this bird is singular. Like others of the genus, it moves from place to place with a rapidity which may be com- 

 pared to that of Syrphus among Diptera, and Sphinx among Moths ; but whilst hovering over a flower, it flaps its 

 wings with a very slow and powerful movement, totally different from that vibratory one, common to most of the 

 species, which produces the humming noise. I never saw any other bird, where the force of its wings appeared 

 (as in a butterfly) so powerful in proportion to the weight of its body. When hovering by a flower, its tail is 

 constantly expanded and shut like a fan, the body being kept in a nearly vertical position. This action appears to 

 steady and support the bird, between the slow movements of its wings. Although flying from flower to flower in 

 search of food, its stomach generally contained abundant remains of insects, which I suspect are much more the 

 object of its search than honey is. The note of this species, like that of nearly the whole family, is extremely 

 shrill." — Darwin^ Zoology of the Beagle, part iii. Birds, p. 111. 



"The Troch. gigas is found in aU the central provinces of Chile; it is seen about Valparaiso during the spring 

 and summer months, feeding on the flowers of Poiirretia coarctata and Lobelia polyphylla in preference to others. It 

 generally builds its nest near a little rivulet, frequently on a solitary twig or branch over the w^ater ; the nest is 

 beautifully constructed, and is composed of moss and the down of a species of Gnaphalitm. Eggs white ; iris dark 

 brown. Catches flies." — Bridges in Proc. ZooL Soc, part vi. p. 114, 



The forms to which we now proceed are mostly of large size, have straight lengthened bills, and are very 

 gorgeously coloured. These straight and prolonged bills are in unison with the flora with which they are associated, 

 particularly such deep tubular flowers as those of the genera Brugmansia, Lepageria, Nematanthus, Tacsonia, Alstroe- 

 7n€ria, Dipladenia, &;c. 



The first genus is that of Docimastes. Of this remarkable form, the single species known stands alone among 

 Humming- Birds for the great length of its bill. Nature here appears to have carried the development of this organ 

 to its maximum ; and how wonderfully is it adapted for exploring the lengthened tubular flowers from which the 

 bird obtains its insect food ! 



Genus Docimastes, Gould. 



(^AoKifMa^oy, exploro.) 



Generic characters. 



Male. — Bill of extraordinary length, exceeding that of the head and body, and incHning upwards ; wings long 

 and pointed ; tail moderately long and forked ; tarsi short and partially clothed ; feet small ; hind toe shorter than 

 the middle toe ; face and gorget dull ; sides of the chest luminous. 



Female. — Unadorned . 



258. Docimastes ensiferus Vol. IV. PI. 233. 



Docimastes Derhyanus, Licht. in Mus. Berlin. 



ensifera, Cab. et Hein. Mus liein. Theil iii. p. 77. 



Habitat. Columbia and Ecuador. 



Specimens from the neighbourhood of Bogota differ from those received from Quito in being of much smaller 

 size; but I consider these as mere races of one and the same species, for I can see no characters on which a specific 

 distinction could be founded. 



The next species is interesting for its great size, the elegance of its proportions, and the beauty and harmony 

 of its colours. This new and extraordinary bird I have named Eugenia Imperatrix in honour of the Empress of the 

 French. 



Genus Eugenia, Gould. 



(^Eugenia, nom. propr.) 

 Generic characters. 

 Male.— Bill straight or slightly inclining upwards, longer than the head; wings long; primaries rigid; tailloxig 



