460 FAMILY TROCHILID.E, OR HUMMING-BIRDS. 



zone, and to the southern hemisphere, where alone we meet with 

 the typical forms of the group ; the few species that are found 

 beyond these limits do not exhibit its peculiarities of structure 

 in nearly the same degree. In this tribe are arranged the 

 TROCHILID.E, or Humming- Birds, and the CINNYRIIXE, or Sun- 

 Birds^ the families in which the beak and feet are most 

 remarkable for their length and slenderness ; and also the MELI- 

 PHAGID^E, or Honey -suckers, the UPUPID.E, or Hoopoes, and the 

 CERTHIAD.E, or Creepers, which are more or less aberrant in 

 their characters, and connect the group with others. 



415. The family of TROCHILID^, or Humming-Birds, 

 includes the smallest and most brilliant of the whole feathered 

 race (Fig. 225). They are also among those most adapted 

 for rapid flight ; the muscles of their wings probably exceeding 

 those of any other known Bird, when compared with the size of 

 the whole body; and the plumage being very dense and compact. 

 From these characters, taken in connection with the weakness of 

 the legs, the Naturalist might at once infer that the Humming- 

 Birds pass the greatest part of their time on the wing ; and this 

 inference would be found to correspond exactly with their real 

 habits. The velocity with which they glance through the air, 

 and the rapidity in the vibration of their wings, so great as to 

 elude the sight, are most extraordinary; and when hovering 

 before a flower, they seem suspended in the air, rather than 

 sustained by the vigorous movement of their rigid pinions. 

 To this movement is due the constant murmur or buzzing sound, 

 from which the Birds derive their name. They show great 

 courage, and even pugnacity ; especially during the breeding 

 season, when under the influence of jealousy. When attacked 

 by larger Birds, they will dart themselves, as it were, against 

 the invaders ; directing their needle-like bills against the eyes of 

 their opponents, so ~as to become very formidable adversaries. 

 The tongue is one of the most curious features in their organisa- 

 tion ; being split into two tubular filaments, which are capable 

 of being darted out to a considerable distance, by an apparatus 

 very much resembling that by which a similar motion is given to 

 the tongue of the Woodpecker ( 343). By means of this 





