HUMMING-BIRDS. 63 



lost, when seen against the dark tint of the feather 

 lying beneath. On the sides of this beautiful 

 bird spring two axillary tufts of pale lemon- 

 yellow. The breast, belly, and flanks, wings, and 

 tail, are deep black, the latter edged with golden- 

 green. In this species, also, the tail-coverts are 

 of an unusual form, very nearly as long as the 

 feathers of the tail, the webs very ample, loose, 

 and unconnected. The legs, feet and bill are 

 black." This species inhabits the country about 

 Sierra Leone ; Le Vaillant found it also near the 

 Fish River, in South Africa, but only during the 

 breeding season. The nest is placed in the worm- 

 eaten trunks of mimosa-trees, and contains four 

 or five eggs, entirely white. 



FAMILY III. TROCHILID^E. 



(Humming-birds.') 



Among vertebrated animals the Humming-birds 

 have an undisputed pre-eminence for beauty ; 

 the gorgeous flashings and changing tints, the lus- 

 tre as of burnished metal, which we have already 

 described in the Sun-birds, being bestowed in still 

 higher perfection and with greater profusion on 

 these. They are also the most minute of the 

 feathered races, many of the species being ex- 

 ceeded both in dimensions and weight, by several 

 English insects. On the other hand, some few 

 species equal a Swallow in size. Their form, too, 

 is elegant and slender, their movements graceful 

 and characterized by the most sprightly vivacity. 

 Their wings are excessively long, and are moved 

 by very powerful muscles, which are attached to a 



