72 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS, 



because that jxirt of the world is his home, and there a vast number of sun- 

 birds are found. 



The family name of Ncctarinidcc has been given because the bird sips 

 the nectar of the flowers, and was once supposed to live entirely on honey. 

 But it is now well known that the sun-bird feeds very much on insects, and 

 only gives zest to his banquets by a sip of the juices of the flowers. 



The name of sun-bird is very appropriate, since the sunlight has a 

 remarkable effect on his plumage, and makes it look like gold and precious 

 stones. This effect is really produced by the bird, as he moves his muscles 

 and changes the position of his feathers, throwing them every moment into a 

 diff"erent light. 



; ■ The upper part of the head and throat arc blue, changing into violet ; 

 then, at the back of the neck, there is a patch of red ; and the v/ings are 

 purple and green, and the breast is yellow. 



The tail is of scarlet, and the feathers reach some distance. 



THE COMMON TREE-CREEPER. 



If on the occasion of some summer holiday )-ou go into the woods, and look 

 well about you, you are almost sure to see the little tree-creeper. 



The best way is to sit down on the stump of some fallen tree, and quietly 

 to watch. 



By-and-by you will sec a very small brown bird, the smallest we have in 

 England, except, perhaps, the dear little wren. He has a short neck, and a 

 long, rather curved bill, and a stiff little tail. 



His foot has three toes in front, and one long one behind, and arc all 

 armed with rather long claws. The joints roll about loosely, in the same way 

 as those of the swallow. But as for his daily habits, they are more like those 

 of the Avoodpecker. Pie and his family are very useful in clearing trees of 

 insects that the swallow cannot get at. They lie snugly hidden under the 

 bark or in cracks, but the bill of the little creeper is sure to find them ; and 

 though his tongue is not quite like that of the woodpecker, yet he thrusts it 



