RUBY- THROATED. 



41 



ten or twelve of the birds darting about, and fighting with 

 and pursuing each other." 



Of plants that have long tube- shaped blossoms does the Buby- 

 throated Hummer appear especially fond. Wilson thus describes 

 his manoeuvres among the blossoms of the Trumpet-flower: — 

 "When arrived before a thicket of these that are full-blown, 

 he poises, or suspends himself on wing for the space of two 

 or three seconds so steadily that his wings become invisible, 

 or only like a mist; and you can plainly distinguish the pupil 

 of his eye looking round with great quickness and circum- 

 spection; the glossy golden green of his back, and the fire of 

 his throat dazzling in the sun. When he alights, which is 

 frequently, he always prefers the small dead twigs of a tree 

 or bush, where he dresses and arranges his feathers with great 

 dexterity. His only note is a single chirp, not louder thau 

 that of a small cricket or grasshopper, generally uttered while 

 passing from flower to flower, or when engaged in fights with 

 his fellows; for when two males meet at the same flower or 

 bush a battle instantly takes place; and the combatants ascend 

 in the air, chirping, darting, and circling round each other, 

 till the eye is no longer able to follow them. The conqueror, 

 however, generally returns to the place to reap the fruits of 

 his victory. I have seen him attack, and for a few moments 

 tease, the King-bird; and have also seen him in his turn as- 

 saulted by a humble-bee, which he soon put to flight. He 

 is one of those birds which are universally beloved; and amidst 

 the sweet dewy serenity of a summer's morning, his appear- 

 ance among the arbours of honeysuckles and beds of flowers 

 is truly interesting. — 



"When morning dawns, and the bleat sun again 

 Lifts his red glories from the eastern main, 

 When through our woodbines, wet with glittering dews. 

 The flower-fed Humming Bird his round pursues; 

 Sips, with inserted tube, the honey'd blooms, 

 And chirps his gratitude as round he roams; 

 While richest roses, though in crimson drest, 

 Shrink from the splendour of his gorgeous breast . 

 What heavenly tints in mingled radiance fly! 

 Each rapid movement gives a different dye; 

 Like scales of burnished gold they dazzling shew, 

 Now sink to shade— now like a furnace glow." 



One cannot wonder that many persons should have desired 



