AG, REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
their excessive minuteness. The creoles of the Antilles call them 
Murmurers ; the Spaniards Prcaflores; the Brazilians Shupaffores, or 
Flower-suckers ; finally, the Indians call these darlings Sunbeams. 
Humming-birds are much sought after—not for their flesh, which 
Fig. 186.—Nest of Ruby and Topaz Humming-bird. 
is valueless, from its minute quantity, but for their feathers ; ladies 
turn these to various uses, making from them collars, pendants for the 
ears, &c. Some of the Indian races which have been converted to 
Christianity employ them to decorate the images of their favourite 
saints. ‘The Mexicans and Peruvians formerly trimmed mantles with 
