RiED-THROATE-DeONEYSUCKER. a^ 



gular, and contrary to the general rule of nature ; which makes, in 

 all other inftances, the fmalleft and moft defencelefs birds the mofl: 

 prolific. The reafons of the exception in this cafe are double. The 

 fmallnefs of their bodies caufes them commonly to efcape the eyes 

 of birds of prey ; or if feen, their rapid flight eludes purfuit : fo that 

 the fpecies is preferved as fully as if they had been the mofl: nume- 

 rous breeders. 



T\i& Indians o( Mexko, P^r u, znd Mayms, make mofl: exquifite 

 piftures of the feathers of birds; but thofe of the Honeyfuckers 

 form the moft brilliant part. Some ufe them as ornaments, and hang 

 them as pendants in their ears, which give a blaze emulous .of the 

 Ruby and.Emerald. .In,prder,to,comppfe pi(5lures,.the Indians draw 

 off tlte feathers with Irnall pincers, and with fine pafte moft artfully 

 join them together. They difpofe , them with fuch fkill, as to gixc 

 the true lights and iliade to the performance, and imitate nature wifh 

 the greateft fidelity. Thefe were meant to decorate the idols ,a.?^ 

 , temples ; for, before the depreffion of tht. Indian, fpirit by, tfie. tyranny 

 of the Spaniards, religion was liighly cultivated among the AffA'Zi;^?;;.; 

 and Peruvians ; and, notwithftanding it was cruel, was attended with 

 great fplendor. 



The generical name (in the BrqfiUan tongue) of thefe birds, is 

 Guianumbi. There are feveral fpecies, but only one which is found 

 in North America. This kind is found from Canada, through that great Plach. 



continent, as low as Louifiana, and from thence to the Brafils. It 

 breeds even in the northern climate oi Canada-, but retires not only Migrates. 

 from thence, but even from the warm provinces of Carolijia, at ap- 

 proach of winter. In Eijpaniola, the mountains of Jamaica, and the 

 Brafils, countries where there are a perpetual fucceffion of flowers, 

 they refide throughout the year. 



Latham, 



