THE MANGO HUMMING BIRD. 191 



of colour between the mosses and the attire 

 of the bird forming an additional defence for it. 

 The nest, which is composed of the finest grasses, 

 forms, as it were, a bed about two inches thick, 

 and is rendered additionally comfortable, from 

 its soft inner lining of feathers. 



The male of this species has a very sweet song, 

 though not protracted. Springing from the rock, 

 it soars for about forty yards, then, after perform- 

 ing a few evolutions, returns to the gi'ound, dur- 

 ing which time, its chaunt is begun and ended. 

 Another, and one of the most interesting among 

 the specimens of American Ornithology, is the 

 mango humming bird, emulating, in the splen- 

 dour of its apparel, the gem-like lustre of that 

 celestial pilgrim, the most beautiful among the 

 feathered inhabitants of the Indian Isles, known 

 as the bird of paradise. 



The mango humming bird is thus described. 

 " In those warm climates, where the bignonians 

 and other tubular flowers that bloom throughout 

 the year, and innumerable insects that sport in 

 the sunshine, afford an abundance of food, these 

 lively birds are the greatest ornaments of the 

 gardens and forests. Such in most cases is the 

 brilliancy of their plumage, that I am unable to 

 find apt objects of comparison, unless I resort to 

 the most brilliant gems and the richest metals. 

 So rapid is their flight, that they seem to out- 



