THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 33 



pared to sport through the long summer 

 hours with ever new delight ! 



It has its favourites amongst the flowers. 

 Do you see that brilHant sheet of scarlet ? 

 That is the trumpet - flower, which the 

 Humming-Bird loves. 



It comes to the blossom, and poises 

 over it a few seconds. Its wings are like 

 a mist, and are almost invisible as they 

 vibrate in the air. But you can catch 

 sight of the ruby throat, and the golden- 

 green of the back. 



Presently the bill is thrust into the 

 flower, and picks out an insect. Then 

 the bird retires to some withered twig, 

 on which it perches to arrange its plum- 

 age. Its note is like the chirp of the 

 grasshopper, and is now and then uttered 

 as it flits from flower to flower, or when 

 it is engaged in battle with one of its 

 companions. 



3 



