250 RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. 



state of the utmost despair, — you could not fail to be impressed with the 

 deepest pangs which parental affection feels on the unexpected death of a 

 cherished child. Then how pleasing is it, on your leaving the spot, to 

 see the returning hope of the parents, when, after examining the nest, 

 they find their nurslings untouched ! You might then judge how pleas- 

 ing it is to a mother of another kind, to hear the physician who has at- 

 tended her sick child assure her that the crisis is over, and that her babe 

 is saved. These are the scenes best fitted to enable us to partake of sor- 

 row and joy, and to determine every one who views them to make it his 

 study to contribute to the happiness of others, and to refrain from wanton- 

 ly or maliciously giving them pain. 



I have seen Humming 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 Districts, 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 am 

 inclined to think the latter the case, as they seem to be busily feeding at all 

 times of the day, which would not be the case had they long flights to per- 

 form at that period. They pass through the air in long undulations, raising 

 themselves for some distance at an angle of about 40 degrees, and then 

 falling in a curve ; but the smallness of their size precludes the possibility 

 of following them farther then fifty or sixty yards without great difficulty, 

 even with a good glass. A person stantiing in a garden by the side of a 

 Common Althaea in bloom, wiU 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. They 

 do not alight on the ground, but easily settle on twigs and branches, where 

 they move sidewise in prettily measured steps, frequently opening and 

 closing their wings, pluming, shaking and arranging the whole of their 

 apparel with neatness and activity. They are particularly fond of spread- 

 ing one wing at a time, and passing each of the quiU-feathers through 

 their bill in its whole length, when, if the sun is shining, the wing thus 

 plumed is rendered extremely transparent and light. They leave the 

 twig without the least difficulty in an instant, and appear to be possessed 

 of superior powers of vision, making directly towards a Martin or a Blue- 

 bird when fifty or sixty yards from them, and reaching them before they 



