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" These beautiful and delicate beings have excited the admiration 

 of their discoverers, and, indeed, of every one who has observed 

 them. The ancient Mexicans used their feathers for superb man- 

 tles in the time of Montezuma, and the pictures so much extolled 

 by Cortes, were embroidered with their skins. The Indian could 

 appreciate their loveliness, delighting to adorn his bride with gems 

 and jewelry plucked from the starry frontlets of these beauteous 

 forms." — Naturalist s Library . 



This well known species frequents the gardens, and delights to 

 revel among the rich blossoms, preferring those that are tubular — 

 such as the honeysuckle, larkspur, &c. — from which it extracts its 

 food. The honey of flowers is not its only means of subsistence ; 

 diminutive insects that lurk about the petals of flowers, and various 

 species of small-winged insects, also contribute to its support. The 

 clover-fields are also a favorite resort, and it seems partial to a wild 

 yellow tubular flower, which abounds in the swamps in the latter 

 part of summer. Although it is the smallest and most delicate of 

 all our birds, none are more quarrelsome. It seldom happens that 

 two males meet without a violent battle ensuing, and it often attacks 

 other birds which intrude upon its fragrant dominions. 



Imaginative persons have suggested the idea that the humming 

 sound produced by the wings when hovering over its favorite 

 flower, has the effect of lulling to sleep its insect prey, that it may 

 feed at leisure. 



The Humming Bird arrives among us about the first of May, and 

 in the latter part of the same month commences building its nest, 

 which is usually placed against the branch of a tree, and constructed 

 of pieces of various plants, interlined with fine materials. The eggs, 

 which are two in number, are pure white. In the latter part of Sep- 

 tember it mio-rates southward. 



