Tlie Humming-Bird. 287 



evening are the periods when it is most animated and 

 active." 



There is another kind of Lyre-Bird, also found in New 

 South Wales, to which Mr. Gould has given the name 

 of Menura Alberti, in honour of the late Prince Consort. 



THE HUMMING-BIED. (TrocMus cohlris.) 



THERE are numerous species of Humming-Birds, but 

 that represented above, is one of the most common. 

 They are abundant in South America, particularly in 

 Brazil ; and are so small and so brilliant in their colours, 

 that when seen fluttering about in the brilliant rays of a, 

 tropical sun, they look like flying gems. They are ex- 

 tremely active, darting about, and thrusting their long 

 beaks and flexible tongues into every flower they see, in 

 search of food. Sometimes they will remain suspended 

 in the air for a long time together, vibrating their 

 wings with such velocity, that they cannot be seen dis- 

 tinctly, but appear like a mist round the body of the bird, 

 while they make that curious humming noise from which 

 the bird takes its name. Sometimes they quarrel, when 

 their little throats become distended, their crest, tails, 

 and wings expand, and they fight with inconceivable 

 fury, till one of them falls exhausted on the ground. The 

 most common species is Trochilus colubris, the Ruby- 

 throated Humming-Bird, and one of them has been kept 

 alive in a cage for more than three months, by feedin 

 it with sugar and water. This species is found in 



