XII 
HUMMING BIRDS 
289 
and back again, in its desire of concealment, unwillingness to 
take flight, and nidification, it bears a close resemblance to the 
Turco ; but its appearance is not quite so ridiculous. TheTapacolo 
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. 1 
Two species of humming-birds are common ; Trochilus 
forficatus 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 belongs : when on the wing 
its appearance is singular. Like others of the genus, it moves 
from place to place with a rapidity which may be compared to 
that of Syrphus amongst flies, and Sphinx among moths ; but 
whilst hovering over a flower, it flaps its wings with a very 
slow and powerful movement, totally different from that 
vibratory one common to most of the species, which produces 
the humming noise. I never saw any other bird, where the 
force of its wings appeared (as in a butterfly) so powerful in 
proportion to the weight of its body. When hovering by a 
flower, its tail is constantly expanded and shut like a fan, the 
1 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. 
U 
