HUMMING-BIRD. 



29 



plumage with great dexterity. His only note is a single chirp, not 

 louder than that of a small cricket or grasshopper, generally uttered 

 while passing from flower to flower, or when engaged in fight with 

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

 battle instantly takes place; and the combatants ascend in the air, 

 chirping, darting and circling around 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, assaulted by a humble-bee, which he 

 soon put to flight. He is one of those few birds that are univer- 

 sally beloved; and amidst the sweet dewy serenity of a summer's 

 morning, his appearance among the arbours of honeysuckles, and 

 beds of flowers, is truly interesting. 



When morning dawns, and the blest sun, again 

 Lifts his red glories from the Eastern main. 

 Then thro our woodbines, wet with glittering dews. 

 The flower-fed Humming-bird his round pursues ; 

 Sips with inserted tube, the honeyed blooms, 

 And chirps his gratitude as round he roams ; 

 While richest roses, tho in crimson drest, 

 Shrink from the splendor of his gorgeous breast ; 

 What heav'nly tints in mingling radiance fly ! 

 Each rapid movement gives a different dye ; 

 Like scales of burnishM gold they dazzling show, 

 Now sink to shade now like a furnace glow! 



The singularity of this little bird has induced many persons 

 to attempt to raise them from the nest, and accustom them to the 

 cage. Mr. Coffer, of Fairfax county, Virginia, a gentleman who 

 has paid great attention to the manners and peculiarities of our 

 native birds, told me, that he raised and kept two, for some months^ 



VOL. II. H 



