RUBY AND TOPAZ HUMMING-BIED. 297 
The RuBy AND Topaz HUMMING-BIRD derives its name from the colour- 
ing of its head and throat, the former being of a deep ruby tint, and the 
latter of a resplendent topaz. Sometimes it is called the Ruby-headed 
Humming-bird, and it is also known under the name of the Aurora. It is 
very common in Bahia, the Guianas, Trinidad, and the Caraccas, and, as it 
is in great request for the dealers, is killed by thousands annually. There is 
no species so common in orna- 
mental cases of Humming-birds 
asthe Ruby and Topaz. It makes 
a very beautiful nest, round, cup- 
like, and delicately woven of cot- 
ton and various fibres,and covered 
externally with little leaves and 
bits of lichen. 
The plumage of this species is 
extremely variable, but may be 
described briefly as follows. ‘The 
forehead, the crown, and the nape 
of the neck are metallic ruby-red ; 
and the chin, throat, and chest 
are effulgent topaz. The upper 
parts of the body are velvety 
bronze-brown, and the wings are 
purple-brown. The tail is rich 
chestnut-red, tipped with black, 
and the abdomen is a dark olive- 
brown. The female has none of 
the ruby patches on the head, but 
retains a little of the topaz on the | 
throat. 
THE RUBY-THROATED HumM- 
MING-BIRD inhabits North Amer- 
ica, and derives its name from the 
brilliant ruby hue of the feathers 
that adorn its throat. It is one 
of the commonest as well as the 
most beautiful of this lovely 
group. 
The beautiful little VERVAIN 
HUMMING-BIRD is one of the 
minutest examples of feathered 
life that are at present known to 
zoologists. In total length this 
bird does not measure thiee 
inches ; while, as -the tail occu- s a . 
pies nearly an inch and the head RUBY AND TOPAZ HUMMING-BIRD.—(Chry- 
half an inch, the actual length of solam pis moschitus. ) 
the body will be seen to be not 
quite an inch and a half. It is a native of Jamaica, and has been admir- 
ably described by Mr. Gosse, while treating of the birds which inhabit 
that island. 
The name of Vervain Humming-bird has been given to this tiny creature, 
because it is in the habit of feeding on the blossoms of the West Indian 
Vervain, but it is also known under a variety of other titles, and has been 
described by many scientific writers under different names, ; 
