THE SEARCHERS. 



6l 



THE RUBY-THROATED FAIRY HUMMING BIRD. 

 The Ruby-throated Fairy Humming Bird {Trochilus colubris) is easily recognisable by its 

 awl-shaped beak, of medium size, and compressed at its base, its short, slender foot, long, narrow wing, 

 and slightly-forked tail. The mantle and centre tail-feathers are green, enlivened with gold ; the 

 sides of the neck, throat, and breast are ot a brilliant ruby-red, spotted with black ; the rest of the 

 under side is greyish white, intermixed with green ; the quills and tail-feathers are purplish brown ; 

 the eye dark brown, and the beak and foot black. In the male the entire under side is white, and 



THE BRAZILIAN FAIRY [Heliotlirix auricidata). 



the three exterior tall-feathers relieved by a white spot. The length of the body is three inches and a 

 half, and the breadth four inches and a quarter. This species is found in all the eastern portions of 

 the United States. 



This beautiful little bird is pre-eminently migratory in its habits, a great portion of its life being 

 spent in passing from north to south, and vice versA. " The Ruby-throated Humming Bird," says 

 Wilson, " makes its first appearance in Georgia, from the south, about the 23rd of March. As it 

 passes on to the northward, as far as the interior of Canada, where it is seen in great numbers, the 

 wonder is excited how so feebl)'-constructed and delicate a little creature can make its way over such 

 extensive regions of lakes and forests among so many enemies, all its superiors in strength and size ; but 

 its very minuteness, the rapidity of its flight, which almost eludes the eye, and its admirable instinct or 

 reason are its guides and protectors. About the 25 th of April it usually arrives in Pennsylvania, and 

 about the nth of May begins to build its nest. This is generally fixed on the upper side of some 



