204. THE FIERY-TAILf:D SUN-BIRD. 



These exquisite little birds feed on the juice of llowers and the minute insects that are 

 found in their interior, but are not in the habit of feeding while on the wing, hovering 

 over a flower and sweeping up its nectar with the tongue, as is the case among the 

 hummino--birds. The Sun-Birds generally, if not always, perch before they attempt to 

 feed, and flit restlessly from flower to flower, picking the blossoms in rapid succession, and 

 utterin'-'- continually a sharp, eager cry, that indicates the earnestness of their occupation. 

 In accordance with their peculiar habits, the feet and legs are very much stronger than 

 those of the humming-birds ; their wings are shorter, rounder, and less powerful, and 

 their plumage is not so closely set. Moreover, the feathers, although bedecked with the 

 most brilliant of hues, lack, except in certain spots, such as the crown of the head and 

 the throat, the scintillating radiance of the humming-bird, and do not possess in an equal 

 degree the property of changing their hues with every movement. 



The brilliant colours of the Sun-birds belong, as a general rule, only to the male sex, 

 the female being comparatively sober in her plumage, possessing neither the beauty of 

 form nor colour which is so conspicuous in the other sex. Even in the male bird, the 

 o-or<Teous plumage has but a temporary exi.stence, becoming developed at the commence- 

 ment of the breeding season, and being lost at the moult which always follows the rearing 

 of the young. At all other seasons of the year, the male birds are nearly as simply 

 clothed as their mates, and even the glittering, scaly feathers of the head and throat are 

 replaced by a dull brown plumage, hardly distinguisliable, except by difference of structure, 

 from the surrounding feathers of the neck. The change of colour and form is so great in 

 these birds, that many zoologists have described the immature male, the adult male, and 

 the female as three distinct species, and have consequently wrought great confusion among 

 their ranks. 



The young male birds are not unlike the female, but may be known by one or 

 two feather structures, which will be presently mentioned ; and it is a rather curious fact 

 that the adult male always returns after the breeding season to the plumage of immaturity. 

 Some writers have questioned the truth of this statement, but without sufficient reason. 

 As soon as the time arrives when the birds begin to choose their mates, and the brilliant 

 feathers have fully developed themselves, the male Sun-bird becomes very animated, and 

 makes the most of his gorgeous plumage, puffing up the feathers of the neck and head, 

 so as to make them flash in tlie sun's rays, as if conscious of the fascination which his 

 brilliant costume must exert upon the susceptible hearts of the gentler sex. 



The Sun-birds usually make their nests in the hollows of decaying trees, or within the 

 centre of thick brushwood. In many cases the nest is concealed with great care ; and in 

 some instances is constructed with consummate art. The material of the nest is generally 

 composed of very fine fibres, interwoven and lined with the soft cottony down that is 

 found in the seed-vessels of many plants, and ingeniously set round with various lichens, 

 so as to give it a close resemblance to the tree in which it is placed. One species has 

 even been known to make a thick spider's web the foundation of its nest, and to cover it 

 so completely with little bits of moss, lichens, paper, cloth, and all kinds of miscellaneous 

 substances, as to destroy its nest-like appearance, and make it look like a chance bundle 

 of scraps entangled in the branches. 



When taken young, the Sun-birds are very susceptible to human influence, rapidly 

 becoming tame, and learning to fly about the room and take their food from the hand of 

 their owners with charming familiarity. It has already been mentioned that the Sun-bird 

 utters a shrill, sharp whistle, while engaged in seeking food. This, however, is not their 

 only cry, as many of them possess considerable musical powers, their cry, although feeble, 

 being sweet and agreeably undulated. It is thought by many observers that the Sun- 

 birds, while flitting from flower to flower, aid in the work which is so efficiently carried 

 out by bees and similar insects, and help to carry the fructifying pollen from one blossom 

 to another. 



Among these birds the Fieey-tailed Sun-bied, although not the largest, is yet one of 

 tlie most striking and beautiful in form and colour. 



This most lovely little creature is an inhabitant of India, being found near the foot of 



