TROCHILID.E. 



101 



inclined to let liim off without a furtlier infliction of 

 sharp taps and admonitory raps from her fairy beak. 

 8he looked like a little fury in miniature, a winged 

 Xantippe. These pointed attentions apprised him 

 that his company was not desired or acceptable. As 

 to me and V., the darling little pet did not mind us 

 in the least. She allowed us to watch her to our 

 heart's content, and rather appeared to like our 

 society, and to have an air of saying, ^ Do you think 

 I manage it w^ell, eh ?' '^ 



These beautiful birds are divisible into tlu'ee sub- 

 famiHes, named respectively the Wedge-tailed, the 

 Curve-billed, and the Straight-billed Humming- 

 birds. 



