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Show 190 MR. H. WHITELY ON PERUVIAN HUMMING-BIRDS. [Feb. 4, one has reached the spot where it is feeding, it is off to other three or four hundred yards away. It has a curious appearance whilst flying, with the long bill so disproportionate to the size of the body. I should say it would be a most formidable antagonist for tbe other species of Humming-birds ; at all events they all clear out of its way, and none dare attack it. I believe, but am not certain, that it breeds here. Length 8| in., bill 3| in., wing 3 in., tail 2J in. Sides of chest luminous. 11. R A M P H O M I C R O N M I C R O R H Y N C H U M (Boiss.). This bird was shot feeding off a small white flower. The only specimen seen. Bill black; eye, legs, toes, and claws black. Stomach contained remains of very minute insects. Length 3| in., wing 2 in., bill § in., tail forked If in. Crown of head and whole of back to tips of upper tail-coverts rich purple ; tail black ; gorget golden ; breast and abdomen green. 12. PTEROPHANES TEMMINCKII. This bird is by no means scarce here, and I have shot young birds, which is a proof that it is not a chance visitor. The musky smell which Mr. Gould remarks about with regard to the skins of this bird, I have also noticed, and it is much stronger whilst the bird is in the flesh. Its flight is very similar to that of Patagona gigas ; and when feeding the wings are moved very slowly and the beautiful blue colouring of them is seen to great advantage. It frequents almost all the flowering plants ; and I have also seen it at an elevation of from 13,000 to 14,000 feet, where there are no flowers, sweeping along the coarse grass in search of the insects to be found there. Length 6g in., bill 1\ in., wing 4| in., tail 3 in. The tips of the feathers on the abdomen are also luminous. I once saw one of these birds attack a large Hawk, that came near its feeding-ground, and drive it away. 13. AGLCEACTIS CAUMATONOTA, and 14. AGLcEACTIS CASTELNAUDI. Of the genus Agleeactis I have got, I think, two species. In one the male and female are adorned with a tuft of white feathers on the breast; and in the other* the tuft of feathers is reddish brown. They are among the most fearless of the Humming-birds, as I have sat down near one which was perched on a dry twig, and watched it for a long time, without its taking the least notice of me. In habits these species more resemble a Flycatcher than a Humming-bird, as they perch on a dead branch and then take flight in the air, returning to the same branch. They perch a long time without moving, sometimes for half an hour at a time. The wings are moved very slowly whilst they are hovering over a flower; and more frequently they cling on to a bush with their powerful feet, searching the leaves and flowers for insects. They breed here, as most of my specimens are young males. * A. caumatonota, Gould, i |