128 Messrs. Sclater and Salvin on the 



which abounds there. This tree, which grows to a height of about 

 twenty or thirty feet, bears clusters of white flowers, and has 

 its branches and stem covered with spines, which sting when 

 touched. Its bark also, when bruised, emits a milky fluid, which 

 blisters the skin, if any be allowed to remain upon it. The bird, 

 when taking its food from this tree, places itself in front of a 

 bunch of the flowers, and hovers opposite, at a distance of about 

 two or three inches. On perceiving the object of its search, it 

 darts in, and, seizing whatever that may be, insect or honey, re- 

 turns to its position in front of the cluster. So it passes on from 

 blossom to blossom, and in like manner from cluster to cluster, 

 until the whole tree is thoroughly ransacked. Humming-birds 

 do not remain long on the wing at once, but rest frequently, 

 choosing for that purpose a small dead or leafless twig at the 

 top, or just within the branches of the tree. While in this posi- 

 tion, they take the opportunity of trimming their feathers and 

 cleaning their bill, all the time keeping up an incessant jerking 

 of their wings and tail. When this operation has been gone 

 through, they peer about for fresh flowers on which to dart. 

 The cry of the present species is somewhat represented by the 

 work '^ chirik," uttered frequently and with great rapidity. This 

 cry seems common to all the family, and it is only from an in- 

 timate acquaintance that one can trace a difference between the 

 species. When they are flying from one place to another, or pur- 

 suing one another, this cry is especially used, and in the latter 

 case it is uttered with great vehemence. The humming sound, 

 from which these birds take their trivial name, is something like 

 that produced by a large beetle; but very little practice will 

 soon so accustom the ear, that it seldom mistakes the unseen 

 presence of a Humming-bird for anything else. 



184. Florisuga MELLivoRA (Linn.) ; Gould, Mon. Troch. 

 part ii. 



185. Eugenes fulgens (Swains.) ; Phil. Mag. 1827, p. 441; 

 Gould, Mon. Troch. pt. xii. 



186. Myiabeillia typica (Delatt. et Less.); Rev. Zool. 1839, 

 p. 16; Gould, Mon. Troch. pt. viii. 



