(GIANT HUMMING-BIRD.)
+Patagona gigas+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 89; _White, P. Z. S._
1882, p. 615 (Catamarca); _Elliot, Syn. Troch._ p. 67; _Gould,
Mon. Troch._ iv. pl. 232.
_Description._--Head and upper surface pale brown, glossed with
green; wings and tail darker and more green; basal portion of the
shafts of the lateral rectrices white; patch on the rump white;
upper tail-coverts edged with white; breast mottled brown and
buff; throat and abdomen rusty red; under tail-coverts white, with
brownish centre spots; bill blackish brown; feet brown: whole length
7·0 inches, wing 4·9, tail 3·4. _Female_ similar but smaller.
_Hab._ Andes of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, Chili, Patagonia, and
Northern Argentina.
White seems to be the only observer who has met with this Humming-bird
within the limits of the Argentine Republic. He obtained a pair at
Andalgala, in Catamarca, in September 1880, and wrote the following
notes on the habits of the species:--
"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."