THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



285 



emerald-green, with very brilliant metallic lustre ; tlie abdomen, darker 

 green. The female is smaller than the male, and has a shorter tail, 

 and less brilliant color. 



Tins species is a native of Bolivia, but spends the winter in Eastern 

 Peru. It migrates southward to Bolivia in September or October, the 

 spring of their year, raises its young, and, after spending the summer, 

 returns northward with them in March or April, their autumn, to 

 Eastern Peru. It is a remarkably familiar bird, for it not only feeds 



FtG. 5. 



Sappho Comet. 



upon the flowers of the forest-trees, but visits the orchards when in 

 bloom, the cottage shrubbery, the gardens, and the cultivated fields 

 of maize, pulse, and other leguminous plants. It obtains an abundant 

 supplv of insect-food from the rich flowers of the cactus family. Mr. 

 Boneili says: "The diffieuhy of shooting these birds is inconceivably 

 great, from the extraordinary turns and evolutions they make when 

 on the wing; at one instant darting headhmg into a flower; at the 

 next, describing a circle in the air with such rapidity that the eye. 



