THE HUMMING-BIRD. 



121 



the Carracas, the bill is quite straight, and of such 

 an extraordinary length, that it appears dispro- 

 portionate, and puts the observer in mind of a 

 woodcock's bill. The bird itself is robed in a 

 homely dress, somewhat deficient in metallic 

 shades. When I was in Kome, a skin of this 

 newly discovered species, was sent to Prince 

 Canino, and offered to him, for the enormous sum, 

 if I recollect rightly, of eighteen pounds sterling. 

 The Prince returned the skin, and I think he acted 

 very wisely. 



The humming-bird can never be seen upon the 

 ground, unless it has had a fall. 



Nature has peremptorily ordered it to retire to 

 the tree for rest, or for incubation, or for sleep, 

 after it has fulfilled its duties on rapid wing, 

 through the azure vault of heaven. 



I may be allowed to use the word rapid, because, 

 I am quite sure, that nobody has ever yet detected 

 a humming-bird loitering on the wing, as our crows 

 and pigeons will often do. The flight of this bird 

 is as that of an arrow from a bow, sent by some 

 vigorous hunter. The bird is nearly invisible, 

 until it arrives at the food-bearing flower, where it 

 remains on wing, apparently motionless to our 

 eyes;— such is the astonishing vibration of the 

 pinions. 



