32 THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 



Its costume of lustrous green changes 

 and sparkles like the light of emeralds. 

 Its movements are as the lightning-flash, 

 or the glow of a sunbeam. It darts 

 from flower to flower like a gleam of 

 light, visiting orchard and prairie and 

 grove. 



The whole land, w^ith its mighty forests, 

 vast meadows, and majestic rivers, is as 

 one garden of delight. The bird is recog- 

 nized and admired everywhere. 



"The Ruby- throated Humming- Bird 

 is come ! " 



Many a long stretch of country, over 

 hill, dale, river, and forest, have the wings 

 of the bird borne it in safety. It is pro- 

 vided with no weapons of defence. It 

 owes its safety to its rapid flight, its cour- 

 age, and its minute size, wliich screens it 

 from observation. 



Now it appears in full beauty, and pre- 



