226 THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 



the flowers which they are ransacking, and are perforce obliged to trust Implicitly to 

 the tongue. The common woodpecker has a very similar description of tongue, and 

 employs it in a similar manner. 



In their habits the Humming-birds are mostly diurnal, although many species are 

 only seen at dawn and just after sunset. Many, indeed, live in such dense recesses of 

 their tropical woods, that the beams of the sun never fairly penetrate into their gloomy 

 depths, and the Humming-bird dwells in a permanent twilight beneath the foliage. It is 

 worthy of notice that the name Trochilidse is not a very apt one, as the Trochilus was 

 evidently a bird which had nothing in common with the Humming-bird, and was most 

 probably the zic-zac of Egypt. 



There are many other peculiarities of habit, structure, and form in these interesting 

 birds, which will be mentioned at length when we come to treat of individual species. 



Before commencing the history of these birds, I must acknowledge with pleasure the 

 great assistance which has been derived from Mr. Gould's magnificent monograph of the 

 Trochilidae. 



ONE of the most peculiar forms among these exquisite little creatures is the RUBY- 

 THROATED HUMMING-BIRD, so called on account of the glowing metallic feathers that blaze 

 with ruby lustre upon its throat, and gleain in the sunshine like plumes of living lire. 

 This beautiful species is found in Northern America, and is one of the migrating kind. 

 Passing over a large range of country, it arrives in Pennsylvania about the end of 

 April, and is found during the summer months of the year in different parts of North 

 A.merica, even venturing into the lauds owned by the Hudson's Bay Company. 



It is a most lovely little creature ; the general colour of its upper surface and the two 

 central tail-feathers is light shining green glazed with gold. The under parts of the body 

 are greyish white intermingled with green, and the throat is of the most gorgeous ruby- 

 carmine. When placed under a moderate magnifier, the feathers of the throat are seen to 

 be constituted in a different manner from those of the other parts of the body, the 

 wonderful refulgent property being due to certain minute furrows which are traced upon 

 the surface, and are analogous in their mode of action to the delicate lines which give 

 to nacre its peculiar iridescent splendour. As is generally the case with Humming-birds, 

 the wings, as well as many of the tail-feathers, are of a purplish-brown hue. 



In consequence of the peculiar structure of the throat-feathers, they change their tints 

 with every variation of light, or even with the quick respiration of the little fiery 

 creatures, and fling out at one moment the most da/jzliug rays of ruby and carmine, and 

 on the instant change to the deepest velvety-black. 



Of the Ruby-throat, Audubon speaks in the following terms : 



" I have seen these birds in Louisiana as early as the 10th of March. Their 

 appearance in that State varies, however, as much as in any other, it being sometimes a 

 fortnight later, or, although rarely, a few days earlier. In the middle district they seldom 

 arrive before the 15th of April, more usually the beginning of May. I have not been 

 able to assure myself whether they migrate during the day or by night, but arn inclined 

 lo think the latter the case, as they seem to be leisurely feeding at all times of the day, 

 which would not be the case had they long llights to perform at that period. 



They pass through the air in long undulations, raising themselves for some distance at 

 an angle of about forty degrees, then falling in a curve ; but the smallness of their size 

 precludes the possibility of following them with the eye farther than fifty or sixty yards 

 without great difficulty, even with a good glass. A person standing in a garden by the 

 side of a common Althaea in bloom, will be as surprised to hear the humming of their 

 wings, and then see the birds themselves within a few feet of him, as he will be astonished 

 at the rapidity with which the little creatures rise into the air, and are out of sight and 

 hearing the next moment." 



Trusting in its matchless power of wing, the Ruby-throated Humming-bird cares 

 nothing for eagle, hawk, or owl ; and though only three inches or so in length, thinks 

 nothing of assaulting any bird of prey that may happen to come within too close a 

 proximity of its home. The tiny creature is in fact a shocking tyrant, jealous to au 



