THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 207 



few seconds. Its wings are like a mist, and are 

 almost invisible as they vibrate in the air. But 

 you can catch sight of the ruby throat, and the 

 golden green of the back. 



Presently the bill is thrust into the flower, 

 and picks out an insect. Then the bird retires 

 to some withered twig, on which it perches to 

 arrange its plumage. Its note is like the chirp 

 of the grasshopper, and is now and then uttered 

 as it flits from flower to flower, or when it is 

 engaged in battle with one of its companions. 



The Humming-Bird is very brave. It will 

 attack a bird double its own size ; even the tyrant 

 Fly-catcher is often driven away, and pursued for 

 a short distance. 



Now and then the great humble-bee comes 

 droning by, and makes an attack on the radiant 

 creature in its path. But there is little danger 

 from such a clumsy foe. The Humming-Bird 

 darts away, and is out of sight in a moment. 



Its own flight is like that of the bee, only far 

 more rapid. It darts in at the open window of a 

 room, attracted by the scent of some fragrant 



