HUMMING-BIRDS. CINNYRID.E, OR SUN-BIRDS. 461 



instrument, the Humming-Bird is able to secure both vegetable 

 juices, and the insects which are attracted by them ; and from 

 the large quantity of the latter, of which the remains are found 

 in its stomach, they would seem to constitute the principal 

 portion of its food. Indeed certain species of this family appear 

 destined to feed exclusively upon insects ; and resort to the 

 webs of spiders, which they rob of the prey that has been entrap- 

 ped by them. This beautiful tribe is entirely restricted to 

 America; being most abundant between the tropics, and not 

 usually extending far on either side. Some species, however, 

 migrate into the temperate regions on either side of the equator, 

 during the warm season ; and stragglers have been seen in very 

 cold situations. They are most numerous in the dense forests of 

 those regions, amongst the wild blossoms which vie with them- 

 selves in splendour ; but they also frequent the gardens of culti- 

 vated districts, and do not appear at all disinclined to the society 

 of Man. Their nests are very beautifully constructed ; being 

 usually composed of vegetable down, such as that of the cotton- 

 plant or silk-cotton tree ; and being covered on the outside with 

 bits of lichen, leaves, moss, &c. 



416. The family of CYNNYRIDJS, or Sun-Birds, may be 

 regarded as representing the Humming-Birds in the Old World; 

 almost rivalling them in brilliancy of plumage, and closely 

 resembling them in general habits. The plumage glitters with 

 metallic reflections ; but these do not vary in hue in different 

 lights, as do those of the Humming-Birds, the same points in 

 which have sometimes the lustre of the emerald, and sometimes 

 of the ruby, according to the direction in which the light strikes 

 them. The Sun-Birds have a lengthened, arched, and finely- 

 toothed bill ; and this encloses a slender tongue, which is in some 

 species forked like that of the Humming-Birds, and in others 

 pencilled at its extremity. In either case, it serves nearly the 

 same purpose ; the food of these Birds consisting chiefly of 

 vegetable juices, and of the nectar of flowers, both of which are 

 sought in the depths of their blossoms. They are animated, 

 rapid, and graceful in their movements ; their disposition is 

 lively, and their song agreeable. In this last respect they have 

 the superiority over the Humming-Birds ; whose voice is 



