146 R. S. de Q. Quincey—Hardiness of a Humming-bird


The temperature in this greenhouse in searching east winds has

dropped to slightly under 45° ; on several dull cold days it has been

a constant 52 to 55°. The Hummers don’t appear to mind it at a

chilly 45°, but they revel in the sunny days when I can open the top

ventilator and the door, when most of them hurry to make use of the

small wire entrance lobby—to take an airing. Ou the strength of

this I am building a small wire enclosure on to one end, so that they

can enjoy plenty of fresh air in summer time. They look “ fluffed

out ” and miserable on days when one is forced to deprive them of

ample ventilation.


It would seem advisable to have at least two partitions in a Hummer’s

house, as certain individuals will not agree, though by careful watching

and caging during extravagantly offensive moments I think I have

succeeded in establishing moderate harmony.


In the inner section there is a delightful little Brazilian Emerald

(Chlorostilbon prasinus) just through his moult ; an exquisite

Blue-chinned Sapphire ( Chlorestes notatus), possibly a freak or a sub¬

species, for he possesses the added attraction of a partially white tail:

he is now in his moult, and is always a perfect little gentleman, unwilling

to attack or be attacked ; and a hen Brazilian Fairy ( Helioihrix

auribus poucheti), a bird that M. Cordier said would not live, but

that, after being sat up with for five rather anxious nights, seemed

to realize that life and food were worth while after all, whereupon

she started growing her exquisite new tail. She was at first nervous,

and is rather more fluttering and slow in flight than other varieties

I have kept. She flips her long tail up and down as she feeds, and

spreads it rather underneath her when attacking or attacked.


I am hoping to get some photographs taken of her when in flight.

She is a vivid green above, white below, her four central tail feathers

indigo and the three outer tail feathers white and of rapidly decreasing

length ; she has a black narrow eye streak.


In the outer part of this greenhouse is a Buby and Topaz ( Chryso -

lampis mosquitus), very beautiful and friendly with people ; a Black-

throated Mango (. Anthracothorax violicauda), a heavier, more lethargic

bird. His porphyry tail is a great attraction, as are his white fluffy

boots, which he shows when he settles down to roost. (These are

hidden when he is active.)



