290 



CENTRAL CHILE 



CHAP. XII 



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. The note of this species, like that of 

 nearly the whole family, is extremely shrill. 



CHILIAN SPURS, STIRRUP, ETC. 



