RT/BY- THROATED. 



48 



deprived of the animating influence of the sunshine, droops and 

 soon dies. A very beautiful male was brought me this season, 

 (1809,) which I put into a wire cage, and placed in a retired 

 and sheltered part of the room. After fluttering about for some 

 time, the weather being uncommonly cool, it clung by the wires, 

 and hung in a seemingly torpid state for a fortnight. No motion 

 whatever of the lungs could be perceived on the closest inspec- 

 tion, though at other times this is remarkably observable; the 

 eyes were shut; and when touched by the fingers it gave no 

 signs of life or motion. I carried it out to the open air, and 

 placed it directly in the rays of the sun, in a sheltered situation. 

 In a few seconds respiration became very apparent; the bird 

 breathed faster and faster, opened its eyes, and began to look 

 about, with as much seeming vivacity as ever. After it had 

 completely recovered, I restored it to liberty; and it flew off to 

 the withered top of a pear tree, where it sat for some time 

 dressing its disordered plumage, and then shot off like a meteor." 



Some more interesting particulars relating to this and other 

 North American species, will be found in the beautiful "story of 

 the Humming Birds" at the end of the volume. "We need now 

 only observe that the liuby- throat is about three inches and a 

 half long, and four inches and a quarter in the spread of its 

 wings. It generally retires from the north to the southern parts 

 of America towards the latter end of September, passing the 

 boundary of the United States into Florida about the beginning 

 of November. 



Speaking of the cold latitudes, such as Canada, in which it is 

 sometimes found, Wilson observes, "The wonder is excited how 

 so feebly- 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 magnitude. But 

 its very minuteness, the rapidity of its flight, which almost eludes 

 the eye, and that admirable instinct, reason, or whatever else it 

 may be called, and daring courage, which heaven has implanted 

 in its bosom, are its guides and protectors." 



