268 
Mr. 0. Salvin on the 
On my first arrival in Guatemala the different species of 
Humming-birds seemed for some time to be alike in their habits, 
cries, and in the sound produced by their wings. Further 
acquaintance, however, and constant attention to their pecu¬ 
liarities, soon led me to detect an individuality in the different 
species, so that, after a time, I was able to name a species at a 
glance, or, if unseen, with hardly less certainty, from the sound 
of the wings or cry of the bird. These are differences not to be 
described accurately in words—at least only in the case of those 
most apparent. The cry of Lophornis helence is peculiarly shrill, 
and unlike that of any other species I know, hence its presence 
may be noticed if only the cry of a passing bird be heard. It 
feeds among the Salvice that so abound in the mountain-hollows 
about Coban, and it is said also to show a partiality for the 
flowers of the Tasisco , when that tree is in full bloom in the 
month of December. In the month of November females of this 
species are very rare. Of the specimens I collected there was 
only one female to seventeen males. 
In the Indian language of Coban, Lophornis helence has, besides 
the name “ Tzunnun ” which is applied to all the small Hum¬ 
ming-birds, the additional name of “ Aclishukub.’ 3 The Spanish 
name is “ El Goitioii Cachudo ” —the Horned Humming-bird. 
17. Amazilia corallirostris. 
San Geronimo. December. 
This is a common species about San Geronimo. It seems not 
to be found in the colder and more elevated portions of the 
Republic, neither occurring at Duenas nor Coban, but it is very 
plentifully distributed throughout the Pacific coast-region. It 
shows a great partiality for the blossoms of the orange and the 
lime. A nest with two young and the hen bird were brought 
to me December 6tli; the young were half-grown, and would 
have flown in about ten days. Finding unfledged birds thus 
late in the season, one is tempted to apply to Humming-birds 
the question of the entomologist, “ Is Goneptervx rhamni double- 
brooded Y* 
' October is the month of all others that flowering plants and 
trees put forth their blossoms. It would seem that the nest¬ 
ing season of the Humming-birds is postponed after that of 
