166 INSESSORES. 



adorn various parts of their bodies is very peculiar, 

 presenting as they do a beautifully burnished sur- 

 face, glittering with intense brilliancy, and tinged 

 with the most exquisite shades of green, gold, crim- 

 son, or black. 



The Ruby Topaz Humming Bird, when viewed 

 directly in front, has a gorget of the most fiery 

 orange ; but alter the angle at which the light strikes 

 it, and we have a surface of emerald green, which, 

 by still another change in position, is converted into 

 velvety black. This changeableness is due to the 

 construction of the feathers, for, upon close exami- 

 nation, we find each composed of a multitude of 

 facets, which are so arranged as to present various 

 angles to the falling rays, and thus absorb or reflect 

 the different colors, according to the position in which 

 they are held. 



The surpassing beauty, the swiftness of flight, and 

 the apparent intelligence of these winged gems, can- 

 not fail to attract and rivet the attention of the most 

 listless observer; darting from blossom to blossom, 

 poising themselves as by magic, in mid air, upon 

 viewless wings, now gently dipping their radiant 

 bosoms into the deep recesses of the gayest corollas, 

 and now resting like little fairies upon some delicate 

 twig or tendril to preen their ruffled plumes, they 

 must ever be to the reflective mind fit objects of 

 wonder and admiration. 



There are seven species which have been found 

 within the limits of the United States. The Ruby- 

 throat, abundant almost everywhere in Summer; the 



