ORNITHOLOGY. 
25 
Fam. certihad^e. 
SlTTA PYGMA1A. tl. S. 
Sitta supra plumbeo-grisea, subtus alba, abdomine into subrufcscenti ; striga a rictu post oculos extendente gracili, 
remigibus , rectricibusque duabus mediis nigris ; rectricibus cceteris basi nigris, medio albo-fasciatis, apice griseis. 
Rostrum pedesque nigri. Tectrices alarum inferiores alb®. Longitudo corpor is, 4 ; rostri, ; alee, a carpo ad api- 
cem remigis tertias, ; caudee, 1 ; tarsi, 
PLATE IV. F. 2. 
Although this delicate little bird has a general resemblance to the European and American 
Nuthatches, yet the inferiority of its size, the uniformity of the colouring on the head and back, and 
the black of the two middle tail-feathers, afford evident marks of distinction. One specimen was 
brought from Monterey. 
Fam. TROCHILIDA5. 
Trochilus mellivorus. Linn., Syst. Nat. vol. 1. p. 193. sp. 20. 
Wliite-belliecl Humming-bird. Edw., t. 35. f. 1. 
Oiseau-mouche a collier, dit la Jacobine. PI. Enl. 640. f. 2. 
“ This species,” Mr. Collie says, “ was very common at Rio Janeiro. 
“ The trachea bifurcates about half-way between the throat and sternum, where the inferior larynx 
makes a considerable projection, both externally and internally, between the two divisions. 
“ On examining the stomach, which is simple and muscular, with internal plica;, I found a large 
quantity of blackish solid matter, composed of the wings, legs and antenna; of flies, without any mix- 
ture of fluid. In the intestines there was a fluid greyish pulp. 
“ This proves that the Humming-birds by no means feed exclusively upon the nectarious secre- 
tions of plants, but are also carnivorous. And I was almost inclined after this examination, to infer 
that they visited the flowers only for the sake of catching the insects which live upon them ; the hum- 
ming song serving as a lure to attract them. But I afterwards had a full opportunity of retracting 
this opinion, by observing these little creatures penetrating the tubular corollas of the male flowers of 
the Banana tree, (Musa sapientum,) with their long slender bill and projectile tongue, whilst the 
spatlia leaf was turned back, as if expressly for uncovering the food. During the time of their feed- 
ing, the birds kept entirely on the wing, fluttering and humming as if in an ecstacy of pleasure at 
obtaining access to the honied treasure. 
“ Mr. Lay said he found they had the power of bending back the tongue so as to bring the 
point into the fauces.” 
A pair of birds, apparently melliphagous, were brought from Pitcairn’s Islands. But they unfor- 
tunately are so mutilated as to preclude any attempt at description or reference. 
Order III. RASORES. 
Fam. COLUMBIDiE. 
COLUMBA METALLICA. 71. S. 
Col. capite colloque vinaceo-canis purpureo splendentibus, hoc pallidiore ; nucha dorsoque. imo metallic e purjrureis ; alis, 
corpore infra, dorsoque medio metalliee viri dibus ^ remigibus cauddque fuscis. 
Rostrum rubescens, apice flavo. Pedes flavi. Tectrices alarum inferiores atri, metalliee spleudentes. Longitudo 
corporis, 16; alee, a carpo ad apicem remigis tertiae, 10 ; rostri, 11; caudee, 8 ; tarsi, 1J. 
This species was met with in the Bonin Islands, in June, 1827. 
E 
