ZOOLOGY. 



S3 



perching ; tail composed of ten flexible feathers. This 

 extpns'iFe genus is divided into two sections ; the one 

 containing those species possessing sirait billsy and the 

 other, such as have their bills curved. 



In this genus are found the smallest of the feathered 

 tribes; as well as many whose colours far surpass in bril- 

 liantcy, any attempts either of imitation or description ; 

 their food consists of the nectariferous juices, secreted in 

 tubes of flowers, which they extract like Bees, by introdu- 

 cing their tubular tongue, into the flowers whilst on wing ; 

 they are constantly to be seen during fine weather, flutter- 

 ing about the various flowers common to tropical climates; 

 they are found in various parts of Asia, Africa, America^, 

 and the adjacent islands. The whole tribe are exceedingly 

 tender, and from the nature of their food, will hardly bear 

 confinement ; attempts have been made to bring them alive 

 to this country, but which we believe have universally 

 failed ; they will for a short time subsist on sweetmeats, but 

 soon perish. From their diminutive size, they can scarcely 

 be obtained by the gun, without being greatly injured in 

 plumage : the net wo have figured for the purpose of catch- 

 ing insects, or one made on the same principle, but of some- 

 what stouter materials, may be successfully used for these 

 birds, taking care to have the handles of greater length 

 than is necessary for the capturing of insects ; the Birds 

 thus taken, may be destroyed without injury to their fea- 

 thers, by gently squeesing them across the breast with the 

 thumb and finger. 



6 2 



