HUMMINC-BIRD. 171 



the western hemisphere. The distinguishing characters 

 of the family are, that the beak is tubulated, and ter- 

 minating in a fine tube, or pipe ; the tongue is filiform, 

 and rendered tubular by the junction of two threads ; and 

 the feet are formed for walking. 



These birds are found to vary in size from that of a small 

 wren to that of a humble bee, and consequently are the 

 smallest of the feathered race. A European can scarcely 

 conceive, how much these numerous minute tribes add to- 

 the beauty of a rich trans-atlantic landscape. No sooner 

 is the sun above the horizon, than humming-birds, of 

 different kinds, are seen fluttering incessantly about the 

 flowers, without resting on them. Their wings are in'such 

 rapid motion, that it is impossible to discern their colours 

 but by their effulgence. They are incessantly flitting from 

 flower to flower, and extracting the mellifluous juices ; for 

 which purpose they are furnished with forked tongues, 

 adapted to enter the cups of the flowers, and to rifle their 

 nectareouSv stores, which seem to be the sole subsistence 

 of these innocent birds. The quick movement of their ' 

 wings produces a kind of humming noise, from which they 

 derive their name. 



These birds suspend their nests from the extremities of 

 the small branches of different trees with surprising skill, 

 and line them in the most elegant manner. The eggs are 

 about the size of a small pea, and the male and female re- 

 lieve each other in the office of incubation. At the end of 

 twelve days the young burst their shell, and at that time 

 are not much larger than a common blue-bottle. 



The plumage of the humming-bird was formerly in high 

 estimation among the Indians, as an ornament for their 

 belts and head-dresses. These birds are caught on rings, 

 smeared with a viscous substance. The feathers are dried 

 in stoves, which is found to be the best means of preserv- 

 ing their beauty. 



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