HIBERNATING BIRDS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The letters which have appeared in the Spectator on the subject of the occasional hibernation of swallows in this country have reminded me of the existence of a species of bird which in another climate hibernates habitually. I refer to humming-birds. Persons who have read the accounts of Captain FitzRoy's voyages may remember that humming-birds were observed by him almost as high as the snow-line on the slopes of the mountains in the extreme south of South America, and I think he expressed surprise at finding them, in early spring, in such a place, with hundreds of miles of dense, damp forest between them and the warmer climate in the north.
Some years ago I was speaking on this subject to an English gentleman, resident at Port Montt (the most southern settlement on the Pacific coast of Chile), and he told me that these humming- birds do not migrate during the winter, but hibernate in such places as hollow trees. His servant had often brought them into his house cold and stiff, and perfectly dormant, and he had had them flying about his room when revived by the warmth. The information seemed so curious, that I made many inquiries of other persons, and satisfied myself that it was perfectly correct. One of my friends had been a witness of similar cases as far north as Valparaiso.
On the eastern side of the Cordilleras, in the same latitude, they seem only to show themselves in winter on the bright and sunny days, when they come out in swarms ; perhaps, in that milder region, they only doze during the wet and dull weather.
The climate of Port Montt bears much resemblance to that of the west of Ireland—incessant wind and rain, without great cold—and these little birds might possibly be there acclimatised, or they might be kept in the Crystal Palace. By pro- viding an apparatus artificially cooled to 35° or 40° Fahr., they might certainly be brought home in the steamers in the dormant condition ; but if this were attempted, it would be well to remember that they require insect-food, as honey alone would probably not support them in health when they revive. Waterton, in the " Wanderings," mentions having always found insects in their stomachs, and this agrees with my experience.—I am,
Sir, &c., R. N.
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