the various genera. The outer feathers o f the Oreotrochili are narrow, rigid, and turned inwards: this
calliper-like form one might suppose would assist, in combination with the lengthened hind toe and claw, in
supporting the bird on the sides o f rocks; and we find that this is really the ca se; for Mr. Fraser informs me
that he has seen several of the Oreotrochilns Pichincha clinging, half-benumbed with cold, on a ledge o f rocks
during one of the frequent snow-storms which occur on Pichincha. Quinarians would pronounce this to
be the scansorial type among Humming-Birds. Now I think we may fairly infer that many o f the other
structures above alluded to are equally adapted for some peculiar purpose ; yet there must be exceptions
to this hypothesis, since the structure o f the caudal feathers is in many instances totally different in the
two sexes o f the same species.
Nothing has yet been said respecting the legs and feet. Diminutive as they are, they will be found to
be very diversified. In some instances the tarsi are bare, in others they are thickly clothed, as in the
Eriocnemides; in some the toes are very diminutive, and are furnished with equally small, rounded nails;
in others all the toes, particularly the hinder one, are greatly developed and armed with long, curved, and
extremely sharp, spine-like claws. This latter form is admirably adapted for clinging to the petals o f flowers,
a habit common to many members o f the family, which not only settle upon, but thrust their spiny bills
through the bell-shaped flowers. The power these little birds possess o f clinging to the branches is very
remarkable ; they hang on with their little feet and hooked claws like bats, with such pertinacity that I was
often fearful o f dislocating the legs o f my living birds when attempting to remove them from their perch.
I may mention here, although somewhat out o f place, that the skins o f Pterophanes Temmincki have a
strong musky smell, very similar to that exhaled by the Petrels. I consider this merely a coincidence; for
although I am aware that many species o f Humming-Birds fly close to the surface o f the water, they are
merely hawking for insects among the aquatic plants peculiar to such situations*
It is the great diversity o f forms in this family o f birds which renders the study o f them so very
interesting. If these little objects were magnified to the size o f Eagles, their structural differences would
stand out in very bold relief, and the many marked generic distinctions they present would be far more
clearly perceptible.
The preceding remarks have reference to such points of structure as may be considered to have an
influence on the well-being o f the birds. I shall now say a few words on those parts o f the plumage which
apparently are given for the purpose o f ornament only :—the crests o f Cephalepis and Orthorhynchus; the
beards o f Ramphomicron and Occypogon; the ear-tufts o f Petasophora and H e lio th rix ; the elegant appendages
to the neck o f the Lophornithes; the singular plume-like under tail-coverts o f Ctialybura, which in their
structure and snowy whiteness strongly remind one of the corresponding feathers o f the Marabou
Stork, &c.
The members of most o f the genera have certain parts o f their plumage fantastically decorated; and in
many instances most resplendent in colour. My own opinion is, that this gorgeous colouring o f the
Humming-Birds has been given for the mere purpose of ornament, and for no other purpose o f special
adaptation in their mode o f life—in other words, that ornament and beauty merely as such was the end
proposed—especially when we remember that the plumage o f Humming-Birds seems to follow a general rule
in the subordination and contrast with which the colours are arranged. These extraordinary developments
are nearly always confined to the male, and are, doubtless, bestowed upon these little gems as a gorgeous
train is given to the Peacock, beautiful markings to the Polyplectron, &c. I know o f no others but the
two species of the genus Cephalepis in which a single feather is made to serve the purpose of ornament.
In all other instances the feathers are disposed in pairs, or in equal number on either side of the head or
body, as the case may be ; 'but in both these species the crest terminates in a single plume, which greatly
adds to the elegance o f the slender topping. How splendid are the spangles which deck the neck-plumes
o f the Lophornithes! and how well do the blue ear-tufts of the Petasophorce harmonize with the surrounding
green of the neck! The genera Occypogon and Ramphomicron may be cited as singular instances
o f ornamentation ; for they are both bearded and crested. Independently of these extra-developed portions
o f the plumage, certain parts o f the body are gorgeously coloured; and here, again, some curious features
are observable. In very many instances the crowns are truly resplendent, as in Heliodoxa; while in
Helianthea the forehead only is decorated, with a star brighter than Venus, the queen o f planets.
All the members of the genus Heliangelus are remarkable for their beautiful gorgets, succeeded by a
crescent of white separating it from the green o f the under-surface. Some species of the Eriocnemides, beside
their thickly clothed tarsi, have rich and luminous upper tail-coverts; while others, such as the Eriocnemis
Alince, have the under tail-coverts unsurpassingly brilliant and beautiful. The members o f the genus Augastes
are conspicuous for the shining, metal-like masks with which their faces are adorned ; while, differing from
all these, the Aglceactines have the lower part of their backs clothed in armour-like feathers, the brilliancy
o f which must be seen to be understood, but which, strange to say, is only apparent when viewed from
behind; for if looked at in the direction of the feather, none of these hues are perceptible. Many more
instances besides these might be mentioned; but a reference to the plates on which they are represented,
or, still better, the birds themselves, will give a more correct idea o f these remarkable colourings than can
be conveyed by any description.
Before leaving the subject o f extra development, I may mention that I often find it carried to a greater
extent in some one species of a genus than in the others. I will give an example o f what I here intend, by
reference to what is observable in another family of birds, the Trogonidx. Here the extra development of
the upper tail-coverts which occurs in members of the genus Pharomacrm commences in the P . pavoninus,
increases in the P . Antissiames, and extends beyond the tail in P . auriceps; but no species with upper tail-
coverts o f intermediate length between those of the last-mentioned species and the immensely long
plumes of P . paradiseus appears to exist. In like manner, among the Andean Humming-Birds there is a
tendency to a gradual increase in the length of the bill, to the extent of two or two and a half inches ; but
no species has yet been seen in which that organ is intermediate between that length and the extraordinarily
developed bill of Docimastes, which measures at least five inches. A similar fact is also observable with
respect to the spatules in the Spathurx.
Apart from developement, I observe that in the Humming-Birds, as in some other groups to which I have
paid particular attention, the species o f one genus are much more numerous than those of others, and that,
whenever this is the case, the genus usually comprises many closely allied species.
Among the most pleasing recollections of our youthful days is that o f a birds’ nest. Where is the person