THE HUMMIKG-BIBDS. 287 



the nearest approach to the nectar of flowers. While my sister ran to 

 prepare it, I gradually opened my hand to look at my prisoner, and 

 saw to my no little amusement as well as suspicion, that it was actually 

 ' playing 'possum ' — feigning to be dead, most skillfully. It lay on my 

 open palm motionless for some minutes, during which I watched it in 

 breathless curiosity. I saw it gradually open its bright little eyes to 

 peep whether the way was clear, and then close them slo-wly as it 

 caught my eye upon it. But when the manufactured nectar came, and 

 a drop was touched upon the point of its bill, it came to life very sud- 

 denly, and, in a moment, was on its legs, drinking with eager gusto 

 of the refresiiing draught, from a silver teaspoon. When sated it 

 refused to take any more, and sat perched with the coolest self-com- 

 posure on my finger, and plumed itself quite as artistically as if on its 

 favorite spray. I was enchanted with the bold, innocent confidence 

 with which it turned up its keen black eyes to survey us, as much as 

 to say, 'Well, good folks ! who are you?' By the next day it would 

 come from any part of either room, alight upon the side of a white 

 China cup containing the mixture, and drink eagerly, with its long 

 bill thrust into the very base. It would alight on my fingers, and 

 seem to talk with us endearingly in its soft chirps." Mr. Webber after- 

 ward succeeded in taming several of the same species. He gave them 

 their liberty occasionally, and they returned regularly. At the time 

 for migration they left for the winter; but, the next spring, they 

 sought their old quarters, and accepted the delicious nectar kindly 

 provided for them, and by degrees brought their mates. " He fre- 

 quently observed, while watching for their nest, that the ruby-throats, 

 after leaving their station, shot suddenly and perpendicularly in the 

 air until they became invisible. At last, he had the great satisfaction 

 of seeing the female bird fall, like a fiery aerolite from the sky, upon 

 the spot where she had built her nest." From this he inferred that, 

 instinctively for concealment, such was their usual practice. 



The ruby-throats generally prefer tubular flowers, such as those of 

 the thorn-apple, trumpet-flower, honeysuckle, etc., though, in case of 

 need, they appear not to reject any one that will furnish them food. 

 But there is nothing that will attract them so efiectually, under all 

 circumstances, as a large cluster of gooseberry-bushes in full bloom. 

 And any one having such a cluster, and a little leisure, can at the 

 proper season have the opportunity of observing their beauty and 

 studying their habits. And this is very desirable and satisfactory to 

 an inquisitive mind; for words, engravings, paintings, and even cabi- 

 net specimens, fail to give a true and full impression of the vivid and 

 changeful tints, like the flashings of the ruby, the topaz, and the em- 

 erald, that proceed from these exquisitely beautiful winged gems. 



