THE HUMMING-BIRD OF NOOTKA SOUND. 213 



are a rich orange, and the head a bronzed green 

 and purple. The feathers of the throat and the 

 sides of the neck are a magnificent fiery red, with 

 a tint of yellow or green, according to the light in 

 which you see them. On the lower part of the 

 neck is a band of reddish- white. 



On a clear day, the bird may be seen rising high 

 in the air, and then descending, to mount again. 

 While it descends, it utters a curious note, which 

 resembles the noise made by the branches of a 

 tree as they rub together in a high wind. 



This singular note would hardly be supposed to 

 proceed from a bird, still less from the tiny 

 creature that produces it. If the weather is dull 

 or cloudy, the Humming-Bird is silent. 



The mother-bird wears a different costume to 

 that of her mate. She is clad in golden-green ; 

 and instead of the orange throat, she has spots of 

 a glowing ruby. 



In this remote and inhospitable spot, where we 

 should least expect to find them, do we thus come 

 upon the beautiful birds ! 



