370 THE ZOOLOGIST, 



disturbances which frequently occur, are well-nigh inaccessible 

 to all except those who are well equipped and prepared to remain 

 for some time at a considerable height. Mr. Whymper's experi- 

 ence in these elevated regions convinced him that the work of 

 collection there was the most arduous that a botanist or zoologist 

 could undertake ; and it is necessary to bear these facts in mind 

 when considering the extent of his collections. These, it 

 appears, were mainly entomological, with a few Crustacea, 

 some Reptilia and Batrachia, and about fifty specimens of one 

 species of a siluroid fish. No specimens of birds or mammals 

 are catalogued in the Supplementary Appendix (vol. ii.), 

 although here and there throughout the narrative, allusion is 

 made to such as were seen and identified on the route ; and at 

 p. 215 of vol. i., we find a list of the Humming-birds found on 

 Pichincha, situate on the Equator to the north of Quito. Here 

 Mr. Whymper remarks : — 



"The first competent naturalist who devotes his whole time'to 

 this mountain will reap a splendid harvest. After he has satiated 

 himself with beetles and butterflies, he will be able to feast his eyes 

 on the ruby and emerald breasts, and cyanine tails of the numerous 

 Humming-birds abounding upon it and in its neighbourhood, which 

 include some of the most remarkable and beautiful forms that are 

 known. * * * * There is reason to believe that when more 

 attention is paid to the habits and habitats of these birds, it will be 

 found that several at least of the species which are said to be confined 

 to particular localities will be found at other places at equivalent alti- 

 tudes. Humming-birds in Ecuador are obtained through the Indians. 

 Information as to localities is principally derived from them, and pro- 

 bably is frequently misunderstood." 



On the dimensions of the Condor, Mr. Whymper has the 

 following note (vol. i. p. 224) : — 



11 The largest Ecuadorian Condor of which I have heard, is said to 

 have measured 10 feet 6 inches from tip to tip of the wings. Most of 

 those we saw at Antisana, and elsewhere, would not, I think, have 

 measured so much as 9 feet." 



On one occasion, while resting on the grass, he says : — 



" A great shadow suddenly appeared in our midst, and made us all 

 alive. A Condor had dropped down, and was hovering with out- 

 stretched wings about live and twenty yards above. The deerhounds 





