THE SEARCHERS. 59 



small pieces of lichens. The eggs are white, and two in number, half an inch long by three-eighths 

 of an inch in breadth. 



"Wishing to keep one of these birds alive," says Mr. Gosse, "I stationed myself near a 

 blossoming papau-tree, one evening, with a gauze ring-net in my hand, with which I darted at one, 

 and though I missed my aim, the attempt so astonished it that it appeared to have lost its presence of 

 mind, so to speak, flitting hurriedly hither and thither for several seconds before it flew away. The 

 next morning I again took my station, and stood quite still ; the net being held up close to an inviting 

 branch of blossoms, the Humming Birds came near in their course round the tree, sipped the 

 surrounding flowers, eyeing the net hanging in the air for a moment near the fatal cluster without 

 touching it, and then, arrow-like, darting away. At length one, after surveying the net, passed again 

 round the tree, and in approaching it the second time, and perceiving the strange object not to have 

 moved, he took courage and began to suck. I quite trembled with hope ; in one instant the net was 

 struck, and before I could see anything the rustling of his wings within the gauze told me that the 

 littie beauty was a captive. I brought him in triumph to the house and caged him ; but he was 

 very restless, clinging to the sides and wires, and fluttering violently about. The next morning, having 

 gone out on an excursion for a few hours, I found the poor bird on my return dying, having beaten 

 himself to death. I never again took this species alive." 



THE RUBY AND TOPAZ WOOD-NYMPH. 



The Ruby and Topaz Wood-nymph (Chrysolampis moschitd), a most magnificently-adorned 

 Brazilian Humming Bird, is brOwn on the crown of the head, with a glowing throat of ruby-red, 

 and upper breast irradiated by a tint that can only be compared to the golden glow of sunrise. 

 The wings gleam with" a violet light, and the light brown tail has each feather relieved by a black 

 border. The beak and feet are black. The female and young are metallic green above and grey 

 on the under side. This species is four inches long and five broad, the wing measures two inches and 

 the tail one inch and a half 



The central part of South America affords a home to diis most exquisitely-ornamented little 

 bird. " If any one species of this extensive family be better known than any other," says Gould, 

 "it is undoubtedly the Ruby and Topaz Humming Bird, for it is not only one of the earliest 

 discovered, but its beauty is of such a character as to fix at once the attention of every obser\-er. 

 It is also one of the commonest of the entire group, and plays no inconsiderable part in commerce, 

 as the capturing and preparing specimens, which are sent home by thousands, affords considerable 

 employment to the Brazilian slaves and others in its native country j moreover, in Europe and 

 elsewhere, this species always forms a conspicuous object in the groups of birds arranged under 

 glass shades. But, alas ! nothing is known as to its manner of life, for though it has been described 

 for more than a hundred years, and its native countiy repeatedly visited by enterprising explorers, 

 no one of them has placed on record any details as to its habits. It is said to perch occasionally, 

 and spread its large, rounded tail to the fullest extent, like the Peacock. The cup-shaped nest 

 is also known to be composed of cottony material, and decorated externally with leaves and small 

 patches of lichens." 



The FLOWER-NYMPHS {Florisugus) are for the most part powerfully formed and large 

 Humming Birds, with a short tail, scarcely exceeding the closed wing in length. The strong beak is 

 not incised, and the se.xes differ more or less in their coloration. Some of them appear to be 

 migratory ; at least, they would seem to approach the tropic during the colder parts of the year, and 

 to retreat before the returning jieat, thus maintaining an equable temperature. 



