442 NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



in the same vicinity, nor touch a flower on the tree on which they are perched, and 

 the smallest species does not hesitate to attack those of the largest size, hawks even 

 having been driven quite away by the furious attacks of one of these irascible little 

 creatures. The general sound emitted by humming-birds is a sharp shrill twit or 

 cry, but some species possess a few notes almost attaining to the dignity of a song. 

 The little Mellisuga minima is stated to sing very sweetly, and a diminutive Phce- 

 thornis is also said to have the same accomplishment. These birds, in certain districts 

 of South America, have regular migrations from north to south, and vice versa, also 

 from higher to lower altitudes, caused mainly by the blooming and fading of the 

 flowers, as it is apparently necessary for their existence that they should live always 

 in the midst of blossoming plants. In the early spring the species inhabiting high 

 latitudes descend to meet the blooming of the plants, returning to their more lofty 

 abodes as summer advances. As a rule humming-birds appear to be devoid of fear. 

 They will fly within a few inches of a person's face, stop and peer at him, approaching 

 so close as to fan one with their wings. Frequently they will enter a house through the 

 open window, and after flying around until wearied will alight on any convenient 

 perch, and prune their feathers ; or if taken in the hand will immediately feed upon 

 any sweet that may be offered them, without exhibiting the slightest fear. In this 

 respect they in no way resemble birds, acting more like insects. 



The nests of these beautiful creatures are wonderful structures, and exhibit great 

 variety of form and of the matei'ials used in building. Some are not larger than 

 walnut shells. They are generally shaped like a cup, lined with some soft material 

 such as hair or wool, and much diversity of taste is shown in the mode of decoration 

 placed upon the exterior ; these ornaments, consisting of lichens, bark, moss, etc., 

 being usually attached by means of cobwebs. These nests are placed in all manner 

 of situations, on slender twigs, or on the bifurcation of a branch ; some attached to 

 the side of a drooping leaf ; while others again suspend themselves to the sides of rocks. 

 The members of the genus Oreotrochilus build quite large nests, composed of wool, 

 hair, moss and feathers, and make in the top of this a small depression in which the 

 eggs are laid. One of these great nests was found by Professor Jameson of Quito 

 in a room of a deserted house, attached to a rope suspended from the roof. A curious 

 evidence of instinct shown by these birds, is witnessed in these nests, where one side 

 having proved to be lighter than the other, it was weighted by a small stone or piece 

 of earth, until the equilibrium was restored and all danger of the eggs falling out 

 was removed. 



In our limits it is quite impossible to give more than the most cursory review of 

 the more prominent birds composing this family. About four hundred species are 

 acknowledged at the present time, contained in one hundred and twenty genera. The 

 classification of these, is, of necessity, largely artificial. 



Beginning at the bottom, or with those species usually assigned to that place, we 

 commence our review of the family with the minute species generally known as the 

 'green hummers.' In this group is comprised the genera JPanychlora, Chlorostilbon, 

 Sporadimis and Cyanophaia. The species inhabit Mexico, Central America, various 

 portions of South America, and some islands of the West Indies such as Haiti and 

 Puerto Rico. They are very small, being from two and three quarters to four and a 

 half inches in extreme length. Their plumage is shining, brilliant green, in some 

 species, with golden-bronze reflections, the tail short and usually even, except in 

 Chlorostilbon auriceps and the species of Sporadinus and Cyanophaia which have 



