GRKY-THROATED HERMIT. 231 



a bird which is known by the warm ruddy colour of the 

 under parts, and the black crescent on the breast. There are 

 many species of Hermit Humming Birds, inhabiting Venezuela 

 and the Caraccas, and choosing those districts where the flora 

 is most abundant. They are all remarkable for two peculiari- 

 ties, the first being the form of the tail, which is regularly 

 graduated, the two central feathers being the longest, and the 

 others diminishing on either side. The second peculiarity is, 

 that the two sexes are nearly alike in their colouring, contrary to 

 the usual custom among humming birds, the male of which is 

 generally brilliantly clad, and the female quite plain and sombre. 

 All those Hermits whose habitation is known build a curiously 

 formed nest, funnel-shaped, and attached to the end of some 

 drooping leaf. 



The example w^hich has been chosen for illustration affords a 

 good idea of the form which is generally followed, and as may 

 be at once seen, closely resembles that of the fantailed warbler, 

 which has already been described. 



The nest which is here figured was attached to the very 

 extremity of the leaf, so that the long tail hung down freely. 

 The materials of which it was composed were the silky fibres 

 of plants, the cotton-like down of seed vessels, and some other 

 substance, which is supposed to be fimgus, and is of a woolly 

 texture. All these materials were interwoven with spider's-web, 

 by means of which the nest was attached to the leaf at the end 

 of which it swings. The bird almost invariably chooses some 

 dicotyledonous leaf for its pendant home. 



Other nests made by birds of the same genus are worthy of a 

 passing mention. 



First, there is the pretty nest of the Grey-throated Hermit 

 (Phaethomis griseogularis), a very tiny bird, of comparatively 

 sober plumage, reddish brown being the predominant hue. This 

 species is found in Ecuador, and is seen at an elevation of 

 six thousand feet above the level of the sea. Indeed, the depth 

 of cold which these fi-agile little beings can endure is really 

 surprising, many species being found only on the highest 

 mountains, and one bird, the Chimborazian HUl Star, inhabiting 

 a zone that is never less than twelve thousand feet, and seldom 

 more than sixteen thousand, above the level of the sea. Imme- 

 diately above the last-mentioned elevation the line of perpetual 



