March 1828. 



HUMMING-BIRDS. 



127 



Winter's-bark trees were two feet in diameter. The veronica (I 

 believe V. decussatd) grows in the sheltered parts to the height 

 of twenty feet, with a stem six inches in diameter. It was 

 found too on the windward side of the island in abundance, 

 and of large size, rooted in the very wash of the sea-beach, 

 and exposed to the full force of the cold winds and hail-storms, 

 which rush down the wide western reach of the Strait. 



The fuchsia also grows to a large size ; but it is a more 

 delicate plant than the veronica, and thrives only in sheltered 

 places. Many were observed six inches in diameter ; the stems 

 of the two last plants were used by us, during our stay, for 

 fuel. 



The day after our arrival, the gale subsided, and the weather 

 became very fine indeed. The stillness of the air may be 

 imagined, when the chirping of humming-birds, and buzzing 

 of large bees, were heard at a considerable distance. A hum- 

 ming-bird had been seen at Port Gallant last year, and was 

 brought to me by Captain Stokes, since which none had been 

 noticed. Here, however, we saw, and procured several; but 

 of only one species.* It is the s^me as that found on the western 

 coast, as high as Lima ; so that it has a range of 41° of latitude, 

 the southern limit being 53 if not farther south. 



The islets, at the north part of the port, were well stocked 

 with geese and other birds, which supplied our people with 

 fresh meals. The steamer duck we found difficult to shoot, 

 from its excessive wariness, and power of remaining, for a great 

 length of time, under water. 



Our fine weather lasted but a few hours, and (no unusual 

 occurrence in these regions) was succeeded by a week's rain 

 and wind, during which we were confined to the small space 



* The specimen that was found at Port Gallant was sent by me to Mr. 

 Vigors, who considering- it, although well known to ornithologists, as 

 never having j^et been named, describes it in the Zoological Journal (vol. 

 iii. p. 432, Aug. 1827), as Mellisuga Kingii. Shortly afterwards M. Lesson 

 published it in his Manuel d'Ornithologie (vol. ii. p. 80,), as Ornismya 

 sephaniodes, as a discovery belonging to La Coquille's voyage, in the 

 illustrations of which it is figured at plate 31. I rather think, however, 

 that it is Molina's Trochilus galeritiis. — (Molina, i. 275.). 



