1834.] HUMMING-BIRDS. 271 
The second species (or P. albicollis) is allied to the first in its 
general form. It is called Tapacolo, or “‘ cover your poste- 
rior ;” and well does the shameless little bird deserve its name; 
for it carries its tail more than erect, that is, inclined backwards 
towards its head. It is very common, and frequents the bottoms 
of hedge-rows, and the bushes scattered over the barren hills, 
where scarcely another bird can exist. In its general manner of 
feeding, of quickly hopping out of the thickets and back again, 
in its desire of concealment, unwillingness to take flight, and ni- 
dification, it bears a close resemblance to the Turco; but*its ap- 
pearance is not quite so ridiculous. The Tapacolo is very crafty : 
when frightened by any person, it will remain motionless at the 
bottom of a bush, and will then, after a little while, try with 
much address to crawl away on the opposite side. It is also an 
active bird, and continually making a noise: these noises are 
various and strangely odd; some are like the cooing of doves, 
others like the bubbling of water, and many defy all similes. 
The country people say it changes its cry five times in the year 
—according to some change of season, I suppose.* 
Two species of humming-birds are common ; Trochilus forfi- 
catus is found over a space of 2500 miles on the west coast, from 
the hot dry country of Lima, to the forests of Tierra del Fuego 
—where it may be seen flitting about in snow-storms. In the 
wooded island of Chiloe, which has an extremely humid climate, 
this little bird, skipping from side to side amidst the dripping 
foliage, is perhaps more abundant than almost any other kind, I 
opened the stomachs of several specimens, shot in different parts 
of the continent, and in all, remains of insects were as numerous 
as in the stomach of a creeper. When this species migrates in 
the summer southward, it is replaced by the arrival of another 
species coming from the north. This second kind (Trochilus 
gigas) is a very large bird for the delicate family to which it be- 
longs: when on the wing its appearance is singular. Like others 
of the genus, it moves from place to place with a rapidity which 
* It is a remarkable fact, that Molina, though describing in detail all the 
birds and animals of Chile, never once mentions this genus, the species of 
which are so common, and so remarkable in their habits. Was he at a loss 
how to classify them, and did he consequently think that silence was the 
more prudent course? It is one more instance of the frequency of omissions 
by authors, on those very subjects where it might have been least expected. 
