THE RED-TIIKOATED IIUM.MIXG-DHID. 



139 



flowers that have the deepest tuhes; and in the eountru'S which thope 

 birds inhabit, wlioever sets plants of this description before his windows, 

 is snre to be visited by great numbers of them. It is very entertalnin:^ 

 to see them swarming around the flowers, and trying every tube by 

 })utting in their bills. If they find that their brethren have anticijiated 

 them, and robbed the flower of its honey, they Avill pluck it o(F in a 

 rage, and throw it on the ground ; and sometimes they tear it in pieces. 



slCtvLE lilLLEU HUMMING-BIRD. 



T'he mv)st violent passions animate at times these diminutive crea- 

 tures. They have often dreadful contests, when numbers of theru 

 happen to dispute the possession of the same flower. They tilt against 

 one another with such fury, as if they meant to transfix their anta- 

 gonists with their long bills. During the fight they frequently pursue 

 the conquered birds into the apartments of houses where the windows 

 are left open; they take a turn round the room, as flies do in England; 

 and then suddenly regain the open air. They are fearless of man- 

 kind; and, in feeding, will suffer persons to come within two yards 

 of them ; but, on a nearer approach, they dart away with wonderfui 

 swiftness. 



