BEA/ILIAN WOOD NYMPH. 237 



Mr. Gould mentions that the bird is found in the depths of 

 virgin forests, and is most plentiful about thirty miles from Nova 

 Fiibergo, in the months of July, August, September, and part of 

 October. It is generally seen darting round the orchidaceous 

 plants which flower so richly in that fertile climate, and is a 

 rather noisy bird, uttering loud and piercing cries, and making a 

 great whirring sound with its wings as it dashes through the air. 

 It is very strong and energetic on the wing, and is seldom seen 

 to alight. That the Sawbill feeds on insects has been satisfac- 

 torily proved, by the presence of small beetles in the throat of 

 newly killed birds ; and to judge by its actions, the hovering 

 flight and frequent stoop like that of the falcon, the bird feeds 

 also on flies and other winged insects. 



Although it is necessarily impossible to describe or even 

 enumerate one tithe of the interesting nests made by humming 

 birds, I must cursorily mention one or two more of the most 

 curious examples. One of these birds is the Bkazilian Wood 

 Nymph {Thalurania glaucopis), a species which is perhaps more 

 persecuted than any other, its singular beauty causing its 

 plumage to be sought after. 



The feather on the crown of the head and front of the throat 

 are of the most lovely azure, and are largely used by the inmates 

 of several convents at Eio Janeiro for the purpose of being made 

 into the beautiful feather flowers which the nuns manufacture so 

 skilfully. Thousands of these birds are slaughtered merely for 

 the crest and gorget, but so prolific are they, and so ingeniously 

 do they hide their nests, that the persecution of many years 

 has scarcely diminished their numbers. Moreover, fortunately 

 for the preservation of the species, the colours of the female are 

 so duU and sober, that her feathers are of no value, and she is 

 allowed to escape the fate that befalls the more brightly coloured 

 male. It is a lively little bird, and when alarmed utters a 

 hurried ciy, sounding like the word, " Pip, pip, pip," very sharply 

 pronounced. 



The nest of the Brazilian Wood Nymph is exceedingly pretty, 

 and is hung to the tip of some delicate twig, generally that of 

 one of the creeping plants which trail theii long stems so luxu- 

 riantly over the branches of the great forest trees. The walls of 

 the nest are made of vegetable fibres, generally taken fi'om the 



