LECTURE V. 185 



it appears that the young Ciickow, on the very 

 first day of its exclusion from the egg, employs 

 itself in throwing out all the young of the bird 

 under which it has been hatched ; remaining sole 

 possessor of the nest, and engrossing all the care 

 of the parent bird. Whether any of the nu- 

 merous species of Exotic Cuckows pursue a plan 

 so much differing from the general institution of 

 Nature, seems as yet unknown. 



But, of all the order Piece, none is so remark- 

 able for beauty and singularity as the numerous 

 genus Trochilus or Humming-Bird. This bril- 

 liant and lively race is peculiar to America, and 

 with iew exceptions, to the hottest parts of South 

 America. Their vivacity, swiftness, and singular 

 appearance unite in rendering the Humming- 

 Birds the admiration of mankind ; while their 

 colours are so brilliant, that it is not by com- 

 paring them with the analogous hues of other 

 birds that we are enabled to describe their ap- 

 pearance, but hy the more exalted brilliancy of 

 polished metals and precious stones ; the ruby, 

 the topaz, the garnet, the sapphire, the emerald, 

 and polished gold being considered as the most 

 proper objects of elucidation. It is not however 



