THE LANGUAGE OF BIE,DS. 267 
The nests of these little flatterers, which are, of 
course, in proportion to the size of the bird, are 
equally to be admired. The female constructs it, 
while her mate goes in quest of materials. The hen 
never lays more than two eggs, when she begins to 
sit, the male and female taking it by turns ; but the 
female takes the greatest share of this important 
business, seldom quitting the nest, except for a few 
minutes at a time, morning and evening, when the 
dew is upon the flowers, and their honey most abun- 
dant. During her absence, the male takes her place, 
for the eggs, being so small, the least exposure to 
the cold, would prove fatal to the embryo bird. In 
twelve days the young ones make their appearance ; 
but the plumage of a young humming-bird is not so 
beautiful as that of the old ones. 
The Indians formerly used the feathers of this 
beautiful bird for the purpose of adorning their per- 
sons ; and among savage nations, kings and princes 
made use of their plumage for the same purpose ; 
but since the intercourse that has taken place in later 
years with more civilized countries, they disdain 
such simple adornments, preferring the manufactures 
of more refined nations, and although vast numbers 
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