THE SPARROW KIND. 289 



humming-bird is near half as big as the common 

 wren, and without a crest on its head; but to 

 make amends, it is covered, from the throat half 

 way down the belly, with changeable crimson- 

 coloured feathers, that in different lights change 

 to a variety of beautiful colouTs, much like an 

 opal. The heads of both are small, with very 

 little round eyes as black as jet. 



It is inconceivable how much these add to the 

 high finishing and beauty of a rich luxurious 

 western landscape. As soon as the sun is risen, 

 the humming-birds of different kinds are seen 

 fluttering about the flowers, without ever lighting 

 upon them. Their wings are in such rapid mo- 

 tion, that it is impossible to discern their colours, 

 except by their glittering. They are never still, 

 ,but continually in motion, visiting flower after 

 flower, and extracting its honey as if with a kiss. 

 For this purpose they are furnished with a forky 

 tongue, that enters the cup of the flower, and 

 extracts its nectared tribute. Upon this alone 

 they subsist. The rapid motion of their wings 

 brings out a humming sound, from whence they 

 have their name; for whatever divides the air 

 swiftly must thus produce a murmur. 



The nests of these birds are not less curious 

 than the rest : they are suspended in the air, at 

 the point of the twigs of an orange, a pome- 

 granate, or a citron tree ; sometimes even in 

 houses, if they find a small and convenient twig 

 for the purpose. The female is the architect, 

 while the male goes in quest of materials ; such 

 as cotton, fine moss, and the fibres of vegetables, 



VOL. IV. T 



