THE nfMMINfi-ltlKllS. 297 



well known. Tn general they exceed th(^ lull in IcTiolh^ unless wlien that member is 

 extraordinarily developed. The exterior outline ot' the wing is very much eiirved, as will 

 be observed in the figure of one of the Oruitonia lafipciuiix, and the first (juill is alwaj'.s 

 lonsest, the others o-raduallv shortening, The secondaries are verv short, and the lesser 

 wing-coverts occupy very little room. The j'hmielets of the quills are narrow and 

 compact, firmly imited together, forming a substance, \\lien used, almost like a thin plate 

 of whalebone, and which, by presenting resistance to the air when struck, and allowing 

 no part to pass through the webs, as in nocturnal feeding birds, produces tliat humming 

 sound which is heard during their suspension, and whence their common name has been 

 derived. In all, the shafts are remarkably strong and elastic ; but in a few species, called 

 sickle or sabre-winged humming-birds, they are developed to an extraordinary degree at 

 the base, and nearly equal the breadth of the plume. 



The reason for such a structure is obvious. Its great purpose is the power of vigorous 

 and sustained flight. Hence all the other parts not then called into action are very 

 slender, almost frail ; the tarsi are short, and the feet small. Hero the wisdom and 

 benevolence of the great Creator are manifest ; for the f(wd of these birds is derived from 

 the sweet nectar of flowers, or from insects which must either be taken during a rapid 

 flight, or withdrawn from the deep tube or cup-shaped recesses of blossoms which grow 

 and hang in every direction, and which it would be impossible to reach except by 

 susjiension above or inider them. 



But this is not all. Another great reason for their possessing organs of such power is, 

 to enable them to pass safely through the migrations and the long flights which are 

 sometimes necessary for their preservation, and during which they have often to with- 

 stand a passing gale, showers, or even the rigour of a snow-storm. .The beautiful climes 

 which they inhabit are, at seasons, subject to perpetual rains, which drench and almost 

 inundate their abodes ; or to hurricanes that, in a few minutes, leave only a wreck of all 

 that was before so magnificent and luxuriant ; and they pass, by these means, before the 

 dangerous season, to districts where the reparation of a previoixs wreck is proceeding with 

 all the magical rapidity of tropical vegetation. 



The biU is always an important organ in birds. This firmily presents great modifica- 

 tions in form, which wiU be observed on an examination of the figures now given. In 

 a few species the edges of the mandibles ETre toothed ; and in one, this member is 

 furnished with recurved, saw-like teeth, a manifest jjrovision for more efiBctually 

 securing some peculiar prey. Thus, when Swainson is describing the recurved- billed 

 humming-bird, he says, " The extraordinary formation in the biU of this beautiful little 

 creature is without parallel in any land-bird yet described. It is almost impossible to 

 conjecture rightly the use of this singular formation ; but it appears to me not 

 improbable, that the principal sustenance of the bird may be drawn from the piendant 

 bignonacea>, and other similar plants, so common in South America, whose coroUnc! arc 

 long, and generally bent in their tube ; and so, the nectar being at the bottom, could not 

 be reached either by a strait or a curved biU, though very easily by one corresponding to 

 the shaj^e of the flower." 



The tongue of humming-birds is ver}' long, retractile, and capable of being darted out 

 ■with considerable force. It is said by Brisson and Lesson to be composed of two muscular 

 tubes joined together for the greater part of their length, towards the tij) broadened or 

 swelling, and terminating in a spoon-like point on the upper surface. 



AVe have alluded to some of the forms and decorations of those exquisite creatures, but 

 the diversities are too numerous for particular description. As a contrast to the ruby- 

 throated and topaz-throated, for example, some have a throat of brilliant white, descend- 

 ing a little like a lady's tucker, but, as if to compensate for this simplicity of colour, 

 there is on each side an emerald sheen, and all around is set, as it were, with gems 



