CHAPTER V. 



THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 



N the early spring, when the warm 

 sun brings out countless flowers 

 and blossoms, the inhabitants of 

 the United States, and other 

 portions of North America, are rejoiced 

 to behold a fairy creature, light as air, 

 and with resplendent colours, advance to 

 the gardens and groves. Its gorgeous 

 throat glows with fiery red ; the feathers 

 are very strong, and lie upon each other 

 like scales. As the bird moves they 

 change from crimson to black, and from 

 black to crimson. 



