HUMMING-BIRDS. 



75 



then dart off like sparkles of light to some distant attraction. 

 Now perched upon a little twig, they dress their plumes, and seem 

 to delight in the dazzling hues of their glowing breasts ; then 

 starting off, they skim leisurely along, stopping capriciously to 



Fig. 37.— The Long-tailed Hl'MMIng-Cird {Trochilus lon^kauda). 



kiss the coquetting flowers. Often two meet in mid-air, and fight 

 furiously, their crests and the feathers upon their throats erected 

 and blazing, and altogether pictures of the most violent rage. 

 Sometimes they may be seen battling with large black bees that 

 frequent the same flowers, and may be supposed often to interfere 



