RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 591 



flowers, particularly those of the trumpet Bignonia, and 

 wild balsam, with many other conspicuous productions 

 of the fields and gardens. Sometimes, they may also be 

 seen collecting diminutive insects, or juices from the ten- 

 der shoots of the pine tree. While thus engaged in strife 

 and employment, the scene is peculiarly amusing. Ap- 

 proaching a flower, and vibrating on the wing before it, 

 with the rapidity of lightening, the long, cleft, and tubu- 

 lar tongue is exserted to pump out the sweets, while the 

 buzzing or humming of the wings reminds us of the ap- 

 proach of some larger Sphinx or droning bee. No other 

 sound or song is uttered, except occasionally a slender 

 chirp while flitting from a flower, until some rival bird 

 too nearly approaches the same plant ; a quick, faint, and 

 petulant squeak is then uttered, as the little glowing an- 

 tagonists glide up in swift and angry gyrations into the 

 air. The action, at the same time is so sudden, and the 

 flight so rapid, that the whole are only traced for an in- 

 stant, like a grey line in the air. Sometimes without any 

 apparent provocation, the little pugnacious vixen will, 

 for mere amusement, pursue larger birds, such as the 

 Yellow-Bird and Sparrows. To man they show but 

 little either of fear or aversion, quietly feeding on their 

 favorite flowers often, when so nearly approached as to 

 be caught. They likewise frequently enter the green- 

 houses and windows of dwellings where flowers are kept 

 in sight. After feeding, for a time, the individual settles 

 on some small and often naked bough or slender twig, 

 and dresses its feathers with great composure, particu- 

 larly preening and clearing the plumes of the wing. 



The old and young are soon reconciled to confinement. 

 In an hour after the loss of liberty, the little cheerful 

 captive will often come and suck diluted honey, or sugar 

 and water, from the flowers held out to it ; and in a few 



