VREEPERS. 187 



iiniuflnenced by the distiubauces of the atmosphere. It would seem that the object, whatever 

 it be, is the same in both. It is not for wannth that the insects sj)in these webs, for they form 

 their coverings of silk and cotton in the hottest period of the year ; and I find that whilst aU 

 our birds that build open nests (the Humming-birds build in May, June, and later) breed 

 early, those that construct the domed and spherical ones nestle in the season between the 

 spring and autumnal rains, when the air is saturated with electricity, and is in a state of con- 

 stant change." 



It is an interesting fact that so many as four hundred different species of birds — the 

 Humming-birds — should have no representatives in the Old World. The Sun-birds of Africa 

 and Asia appear nearest them in external features. Fifteen species are now enumerated as North 

 American birds. In the tropical portions of South America the remaining species are found. 

 Single species are occasionally seen in the Arctic regions, and as far south as Patagonia. The 

 food of these little creatures consists almost enth'ely of insects, which they capture in the 

 recesses of flowers. So varied are these little forms, one hundred and thirty genera are recog- 

 nized among them. Ten genera are found in North America. The habits and manners of 

 Humming-birds are peculiar, differing very markedly from any other birds. Their flight and 

 movements generally resemble those of insects, though usually much more rapid. They are 

 so nearly like the great nocturnal Sphinxes in their flight, that some of the latter have 

 been called Humming-bird Moths. 



They are not seen in forests, but love the sunshine and the flowers. Some feed during the 

 twilight ; probably because the insects they favor are out more abundantly at such times. 

 Their pugnacious habits are well kno\™. They attack without hesitation birds larger than 

 themselves. So large a bird as the Sparrow Hawk has been seen to suffer from the attack of 

 one of these little creatures. The very smallness was in his favor ; for, with sufficient courage 

 and a disposition to fight, he foUows up blow after blow with his sharp bill, until his enemy 

 retreats with disgust. 



The nests of the Humming-bird are welI-kno\vn marvels of beauty. The eggs are usually 

 two, and pure white. Though these birds have been said to have no voice, Mr. Bell, the dis- 

 tinguished taxidermist of Audubon' s staff, avers that he has distinctly heard one of the Cen- 

 tral American species sing, uttering a fine, low note ; and others have since testified the same. 



CREEPERS. 



We now arrive at the lai'ge family of the Certhid^, or Creepers ; a family which 

 Includes many birds of very different forms, and which can only be known to belong to it by 

 their anatomical structure. In fact, the Creepers may be considered as analogous among birds 

 to the antelopes among mammalia, and be considered as a "refuge for the destitute," foi-med 

 for the purpose of receiving all the slender-billed birds which cannot find accommodation in 

 any other more definite family. 



The Certliidte are mostly small birds, but there is one notable exception in the person of 

 the celebrated lyre-bird of Australia. Many of them are good songsters, and they all feed 

 chiefly upon insects, which they pick out of the bark of trees or unearth from the soil. The 

 beak is rather long and slender, except perhaps in the nuthatch, which, although compara- 

 tively long, is possessed of great strength ; and there is always a curve more or less marked. 

 The beak is always sharp at its extremity, and the nostrils are placed in a little groove at the 

 base of the bill, and defended by a membranous scale. The feet are, although slender in 

 several species, possessed of remarkable strength, and furnished with sharp round claws, in 

 order to enable the birds to cling to the tree-trunks in which they find their food. 



