FOOD AND HABITS. 55 



their superiority of flight is sufficient to enable 

 tnem to leave these slow moving insects far be- 

 hind, in the short space of a minute." 



The BUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD has a 

 particular liking for such flowers as are greatly 

 tubular in their form. The common Simpson- 

 weed or Thorn-apple (Datura Stramonium), and 

 the Trumpet-flower (Bignonia radicans), are 

 among the most favoured by their visits, and 

 after these the Honeysuckle, the Balsam of the 

 Gardens, and the wild species which grows on 

 the borders of ponds, rivulets, and deep ravines ; 

 but every flower, down to the wild violet, affords 

 them a certain portion of their sustenance. 

 Their food consists principally of insects, gene- 

 rally of the coleopterous order ; these, together 

 with some equally diminutive flies, being com- 

 monly found in their stomach. The first are 

 procured within the flowers, but many of the 

 latter on wing. The Humming-bird might, 

 therefore, be looked upon as an expert fly- 

 catcher. The nectar or honey which they sip 

 from the different flowers being of itself insuf- 

 ficient to support them, is used more as if to 

 allay their thirst." Mr. Grosse, in his Birds of 

 Jamaica, a work of which we cannot speak too 

 highly, gives us, from personal observation, an 

 admirable account of the habits and manners of 

 the species indigenous in that island, from which 

 we shall select a few illustrative passages. 



Speaking of the MANGO HUMMING-BIED, he 



