44 li NATfllAL UIsrOUY OF BIIIDS. 



in the same vicinity, nor touch a flower on t)ic tree on wliich they arc perchccl, and 

 the smallest sj)ecies docs not licsitate to attack those of the largest size, hawks even 

 having been driven quite away by the furious attacks of one of these irascible little 

 creatures. The general sound emitted by huniining-birds is a sliar|) shrill twit or 

 cry, but some species ])Ossess a few notes almost attaining to the dignity of a son". 

 Tiic little Mcllisii(ja minima is stated to sing very sweetly, and a diminutive Pha2- 

 thornis IS s\so said to have the same accomplishment. These birds, in certain districts 

 of South America, liave regular migrations from north to south, and vice versa, also 

 from liigher to lower altitudes, caused mainly by the blooming and fading of the 

 flowers, as it is apparently necessary for their existence that they should live alw.ays 

 in the midst of blossoming ])lants. In the early s])ring the s]H-cics inhabiting high 

 latitudes descend to meet the blooming of the plants, returning to their more lofty 

 abodes as summer advances. As a rule humming-birds ap))ear to be devoid of fear. 

 They will fly within a few inches of a person's face, stop and jicer at him, api>roaehing 

 60 close as to fan one with their wings. Fretjuently they will enter a house through the 

 open window, and after flying around until wearied will aliglit on any convenient 

 perch, and prune their feathers ; or if taken in the hand will immediately feed ui)on 

 any sweet that may be offered tliem, without exhibiting the slightest fear. In lliis 

 respect they in no way resemble birds, acting more like insects. 



The nests of these beautiful creatures arc wonderful structures, and exhibit great 

 variety of form and of the materials used in building. Some are not larger than 

 walnut shells. They are generally shai)ed like a cu]i, lined with sonic soft material 

 such as hair or wool, and much diversity of taste is shown in the mode of decoration 

 placed ujion tlie e.vterior ; these ornaments, consisting of lichens, bark, moss, etc., 

 being usually attached by means of cobwebs. These nests are ])Iaced in all manner 

 of situations, on slender twigs, or on the bifurcation of a branch; some attached to 

 the side of a drooping leaf; while others again suspend themselves to the sides of rocks. 

 The members of the genus Oreotrochilus build quite large nests, composed of wool, 

 hair, moss and feathers, and make in the top of this a small dejjression in which the 

 eggs are laiil. One of these great nests was fouml by Professor Jameson of Quito 

 in a room of a deserted house, attached to a ro])e susjieiKled from the roof. A curious 

 evidence of instinct shown by these birds, is witnessed in these nests, where one side 

 having jiroved to be lighter than the other, it was weighted by a small stone or piece 

 of earth, until the equilil)rium was restored and all danger of the eggs falling out 

 ■was removed. 



In our limits it is quite imjiossible to give more than the most cursory review of 

 the more prominent birds comi)Osing this family. About four hundred species are 

 acknowledged at the ])resent time, contained in one hundred and twenty genera. The 

 classification of these, is, of necessity, largely artificial. 



Begiiming at the bottom, or with those species usually assigned to that place, we 

 commence our review of the family with the minute species generally known as the 

 'green h\unmcrs.' In this grouji is conqirised the genera Pant/dilora, (Vilorostilbon, 

 Sporculiiius and Ci/aiiop/iaia. The species inhabit Mexico, Central America, various 

 portions of South America, and some islands of the West Imlies such as Haiti and 

 Puerto IJico. They are very small, being fiom two and three (juarters to four and a 

 half inches in extreme length. Their jilumage is shining, brilliant green, in some 

 species, with golden-bronze reflections, the tail short and usually even, except in 

 CIdorostilbon auriccps and the species of Sporadimis and Cyanophaia which have 



