Wakbling Hummbes 573 



other family of birds contains so many species ; nor has 

 any other group such varied forms of bill : compare the 

 short bill of the Ramphomicron, one-third of an inch, and 

 the six-inch bill of the Docimastes ; the bill of the Eutox- 

 eres, bent downward into a semicircle, and that of the 

 Avocettida, turning upward. To an nnequaled splendor 

 of plumage — resembling laminse of topax and emerald — 

 nature has not added the gift of song. Its ordinary cry 

 is a shrill chirik, uttered by the males in their petty quar- 

 rels. The " warbles " ascribed to the Mellisuga and Oreo- 

 trochilus need to be heard again to be credited. 



is composed of solid cartilaginous material. The same anatomist also as- 

 serts, in opposition to the opinion of Professor Owen, that the bones of the 

 Hummer, like those of the Swallow, do not contain air. The cleft end of the 

 tongue forms a delicate forceps for picking out insects from flowers. 



