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is a perfect mystery to the naturalist how they first obtained a footing there. =e dn eres
S¢é ) ’ ee : ase ase ¢
between two species appears to occur in this island ; if pet were MN case, en haste mel
of the fact, since we have not only been for many years in a habit of oe i ee
. Jamaica, but this island has had the advantage of a naturalist, Mr. Gosse, who has ae ee
from Jamaica, Z , , species, differing from those of Jamaica. This
observed the birds resident there. St. Domingo has two species, re ie a
law with respect to the Humming-Bird inhabitants of the West Indian ene oe ae ae
carried out in the necklace-like string of the Windwards ; but when we arrive a ie 1S ane 0 ad,
species become much more numerous and partake of the character of those which inhabit the mainland—

the opposite shores of Venezuela.

It may be asked, what is our present knowledge of the existing species of Humming-Birds, and if there
may not be others to be discovered in the great primeval forests of the western and other parts of the ou
covinent of the new world. My reply is that, in all probability, many more than are known to us do exist,
and that a very lengthened period must elapse before we shall acquire anything like a perfect knowledge of
the group. Whatever I may have done towards the elucidation of Be SH aeeh I ye? ony be regarded as
a pioneer for those who, in future ages, will render our acquaintance with this family of birds so much more

complete than it is at the present time.

The regions of South America whose productions are least known are Costa Rica, Veragua, Panama, the
sea-bord between Carthagena and Guayaquil, the forests of La Paz and other parts of Bolivia, the whole of
the eastern slopes of the Andes bordering Peru and Ecuador, and the western portion of Brazil. All these
countries will doubtless furnish new kinds of Humming-Birds when the explorer shall extend his researches
into their unknown recesses. We may feel fully convinced that such will be the case from the circumstance
of single individuals in a youthful or imperfect state, which we cannot identify as belonging to any known
species, occasionally occurring in the great collections sent from time to time to Kurope. My own collection
contains several examples of this kind, which will doubtless at some future day prove to belong to unde-
scribed species. For more than twenty long years have I been sending the most earne

st entreaties, accom-

panied with drawings, to my correspondents in Peru and Ecuador for additional examples of that truly

These entreaties have been backed by the offers of large sums of
money to any person who would procure them ;

wonderful bird the Loddigesia mirabilis.

but up to the present moment no second example has been
obtained. Probably the single individual killed by Mr. Matthews in the ne

ighbourhood of Chachapoyas was
one which had accidentally strayed beyond the area in w

hich the species usually dwells, and which has not
That it may be a nocturnal bird has sometimes suggested itse
this may be the reason why it has not since been seen.

yet been discovered. If to my mind, and that

Those of my readers who are not acquainted with

do well to refer to the plate, in which
sentation of it is given by the masterly hand of Mr. Richter.

this most wonderful member of the Trochilide will a correct repre-

he preceding remarks must, I think, have given the reader a general idea of the countries inhabited

it now becomes necessary to speak of their
structure, and the place they appear to occupy in the Class Avss.

about from one group to another:

by the members of the great family of Humming-Birds ; peculiar
By systematists they have been bandied
by some they have been associated with the Sun-Birds (We

ctarime) ; by
others with the Cypseline, Picinie. Sittine, Certhine, &e.

 

  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
   
   
  
   
   
     
   
   
  

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