166 INSESSORES. 
adorn various parts of their bodies is very peculiar, 
presenting as they do a beautifully burnished sur- 
face, glittering with intense brilliancy, and tinged 
with the most exquisite shades of green, gold, crim- 
son, or black. 
The Ruby Topaz Humming Bird, when viewed 
directly in front, has a gorget of the most fiery 
orange; but alter the angle at which the light strikes 
it, and we have a surface of emerald green, which, 
by still another change in position, is converted into 
velvety black. This changeableness is due to the 
construction of the feathers, for, upon close exami- 
nation, we find each composed of a multitude of 
facets, which are so arranged as to present various 
angles to the falling rays, and thus absorb or reflect 
the different colors, according to the position in which 
they are held. 
The surpassing beauty, the swiftness of flight, and 
the apparent intelligence of these winged gems, can- 
not fail to attract and rivet the attention of the most 
listless observer; darting from blossom to blossom, 
poising themselves as by magic, in mid air, upon 
viewless wings, now gently dipping their radiant 
bosoms into the deep recesses of the gayest corollas, 
and now resting like little fairies upon some delicate | 
twig or tendril to preen their ruffled plumes, they 
must ever be to the reflective mind fit objects of 
wonder and admiration. 
There are seven species which have been found 
within the limits of the United States. The Ruby- 
throat, abundant almost everywhere in Summer; the 
cys. aes 
