í ' I
WinterVbark trees were two feet in diameter. The veronica (I
believe F. decussatd) grows in the sheltered pai-ts to the height
of twenty feet, with a stem six inches in diameter. It was
found too on the windward side of the island in abundance,
and of large size, rooted in the very wash of the sea-beach,
and exposed to the full force of the cold winds and hail-storms,
which rush down the wide western reach of the Strait.
The fuchsia also grows to a large size; but it is a more
delicate plant than the veronica, and thrives only in sheltered
places. Many were observed six inches in diameter; the stems
of the two last plants were used by us, during our stay, for
fuel.
The day after our arrival, the gale subsided, and the weather
became very fine indeed. The stillness of the air may be
imagined, when the chirping of humming-birds, and buzzing
of large bees, were heard at a considerable distance. A humming
bird had been seen at Port Gallant last year, and was
brought to me by Captain Stokes, since which none had been
noticed. Here, however, we saw, and procured several; but
of only one species.* It is the same as that found on the western
coast, as high as Lima; so that it has a range of 41° of latitude,
the southern limit being 53)°, if not farther south.
The islets, at the north part of the port, were well stocked
with geese and other birds, which supplied our people with
fresh meals. The steamer duck we found difficult to shoot,
from its excessive wariness, and power of remaining, for a great
length of time, under water.
Our fine weather lasted but a few hours, and (no unusual
occurrence in these regions) was succeeded by a week’s rain
and wind, during which we were confined to the small space
The specimen th a t was found at P o rt Gallant was sent by me to Mr.
Vigors, who considering it, although well known to ornithologists, as
never having yet been named, describes it in the Zoological Journal (vol.
ill. p. 432, Aug. 1827), as M ellisuga Kingii. Shortly afterwards M. Lesson
published it in Ms Manuel d’Ornithologie (vol. i’i. p. 80.), as Omismya
sephcmiodes, as a discovery belonging to La Coquille’s voyage, in the
illustrations of which it is figured at plate 31. I ra th e r think, however,
th a t it is Molina’s Trochilm j/ofentes.—(Molina, i. 275.). ’
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