“This magnificent bird, which the natives say they have never seen before at Andalgala, was shot on the ‘palan-palan,’ the usual plant that it frequents at this season. It appeared here just after a two days’ severe snow-storm, so that in all probability it had been driven down hither by it.

“It is exceedingly powerful on the wing, and flutters in front of a flower, sipping the nectar, exactly as the smaller species of this family. They have a most peculiar, zig-zag, jerky flight; which, when making a long detour for any particular spot, becomes undulating.

“They are without doubt partially insect-eaters, as I have not only observed their crops full of flies and small beetles, but have also seen them pursue and catch them in the air, with the motions of a Flycatcher.

“They perch on some bare branch of a plant, which they entirely appropriate, driving off every other bird that dares to approach, and every now and then visit all its flowers to sip the sweets. The large humble-bees, however, cause them some trouble, as they likewise are addicted to sipping nectar; these the P. gigas attacks with all its force, and by fluttering its wings, rushing at, pushing and pecking them, succeeds in ridding the spot of their presence.

“The note of this bird is similar to the chirp of a young Sparrow, but much stronger.

“These birds, like animals generally in the Argentine Republic, take no notice of a person mounted, but instantly disappear when a foot-passenger approaches; so that as I was on muleback I was enabled to ride close up to and observe them.

“The seat of P. gigas is so firm and close to the branch, that its tiny feet are invisible; the breast is puffed out, and its head in continued motion from one side to the other with a jerky movement. When disturbed it darts off around with a rough jerky flight for a minute or so, and then endeavours to return, but, if still interfered with, seeks a dry twig at the top of some neighbouring tree on which to alight. Its poise when suspended, sipping at the flowers, is heavy and laboured, and the motion of its large wings, although rapid, is perceptible to the eye; and it never remains more than half a minute in this position, when it retires to a branch to rest for at least five minutes, perching, with its head towards the sun and its beak slightly elevated.”

[235.] CALLIPERIDIA FURCIFERA (Shaw).
(ANGELA HUMMING-BIRD.)

Calliperidia furcifera, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 90; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 184 (Buenos Ayres). Heliomaster furcifer, White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 616 (Catamarca); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 21 (Entrerios); Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 86. Ornismya angelæ, d’Orb. et Lafr. Syn. Av. ii. p. 28 (Corrientes). Calliperidia angelæ, Elliot, Ibis, 1877, p. 137. Heliomaster angelæ, Gould, Mon. Troch. iv. pl. 263; Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 448; id. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 466; id. Anales Mus. B. A. i. p. 70. Campylopterus inornatus, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 447. (jr.).