28. Picus melanocephalus.—Nob. in Proceedings of Zool. Soc.
Pic. capite corporeque supra nigris, hoc albo maculato; pectore abdomineque albis, illo albo lineato, hoc albo fasciato.
Length 6 or 7 inches.—Strait of Magalhaens and Chilóe.
29. Mellisuga Kingii--Vigors in Zool. Journal, iii. 432.
Ornismya sephanoides.—Lesson et Garn.
Mell. supra metallicè viridis, infra alba viridi variegata, vertice splendide rubeo, rectricibus acuminatis.
This bird was found in the Strait of Magalhaens, so late in the year as the month of May, when it was seen flying in a snow-squall. It seemed regardless of the cold, and so long as the fuchsia and veronica were in blossom, so long did this hitherto supposed to be delicate little bird, remain to cull their sweets, or rather to prey upon the insects which buried themselves in the flowers; for, innocent as it seems, it is insectivorous. The bird was long known to naturalists, but was not described until November 1827, when Mr. Vigors described it, from a specimen transmitted by me to the Museum of the Zoological Society. It was found by MM. Lesson and Garnot, on the coast of Chile, where we also subsequently found it. M. Lesson described it in his useful little Manuel d'Ornithologie, ii. p. 80, as above, and has given a detailed account. Had not Mr. Vigors previously described it, I should have had pleasure in referring it to their description, and their excellent plate, in Lesson's Monograph upon the Trochilidæ.
30. Trochilus Fernandensis.—Nob. in Proceedings Zool. Soc.
Troch. ferrugineo-rufus; capitis vertice splendenti-coccineo; remigibus fuscis.
Length, 5 inches.