152 INSEBS0K£8 



CHAPTER VIII. 



INSESSORES: SYNDACTYLI. 



HUMMTXO BIRDS. 



The number of species of Humming Birds known 

 to Linnaeus, and other early naturalists, was compar- 

 atively few; while, more recently, Lesson, who has 

 been considered q great exponent of the family, has, 

 in his works upon that subject, only figured and de- 

 scribed about one hundred and ten. But through 

 the means of various travellers who have given the 

 subject their particular attention, the number has been 

 gradually swelled, until at the present time it amounts 

 to upwards of three hundred and twenty distinct and 

 well-defined species. This result is in a great meas- 

 ure owing to the energetic exertions of John Gould 

 of London and Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of 

 Canino, whose collectors have distributed themselves 

 throughout the continents of North and South Amer- 

 ica, making search among unexplored regions for new 

 species. 



The warm and ever-glowing countries of the Trop- 

 ics seem to be the most favorite resort of this lovely 

 tribe, before the brilliant fire of whose sparkling plu- 

 mage the gorgeous colorings of all other feathered 

 races grow dull. There, revelling in the undying 



