THE HUMMING-BIRD. 
19 
cleave the air with his pinions. The feathers 
on the quills of the humming-bird's wing are 
so firmly united that they are almost like a 
thin plate of whalebone. No air can pa^s 
through them, and this is why they make a 
humming sound, as the bird vibrates his wingfe. 
The humming-bird needs these strong wings 
to support himself in the air, as his feet are 
too weak and delicate to perch for any length 
of time. 
And he depends very much upon his wings 
for safety. 
There will come the season of rain and 
storm, and his little nest will be beaten down, 
and his home among the trees and flowers 
be made a wreck. Before this happens, he 
must fly many long miles to get from beneath 
the clouds. He looks too fairy-like to under- 
take such a journey, but his wings aye power- 
ful enough to bear him out of reach of danger. 
They will transport him to other lands, where 
the storm has passed, and the trees and flowers 
are blooming as gaily as ever. 
The long bill of the humming-bird has been 
given him that he may search to the bottom 
of the laro^e tubular flowers, and rifle their 
