THE LONG-TAILED HUMMING-BIRD. 
163 
Of the Ruby-throat, Audubon speaks in the following terms : — 
“ I have seen these birds in Louisiana as early as the 10th of March. Their appearance 
in that State varies, however, as much as in any other, it being sometimes a fortnight later, 
or, although rarely, a few days earlier. In the middle district they seldom arrive before the 
15th of April, more usually the beginning of May. I have not been able to assure myself 
whether they migrate during the day or by night, but am inclined to think the latter the case, 
as they seem to be leisurely feeding at all times of the day, which would not be the case had 
they long flights to perform at that period. 
“They pass through the air in long undulations, raising themselves for some distance at 
an angle of about forty degrees, then falling in a curve ; but the smallness of their size pre- 
cludes the possibility of following them with the eye farther than fifty or sixty yards without 
great difficulty, even with a good glass. A person standing in a garden by the side of a common 
Althaea in bloom, will be as surprised to hear the humming of their wings, and then see the 
birds themselves within a few feet of him, as he will be astonished at the rapidity with which 
the little creatures rise into the air, and are out of sight and hearing the next moment.” 
Trusting in its matchless power of wing, the Ruby-throated Humming-bird cares nothing 
for eagle, hawk, or owl ; and though only three inches or so in length, thinks nothing of 
assaulting any bird of prey that may happen to come within too close a proximity of its home. 
The tiny creature is in fact a shocking tyrant, jealous to an extreme of its own territories, 
launching itself furiously at any bird that may seem to be an intruder. It has even been seen 
to attack the royal eagle itself, and to perch itself upon the head of its gigantic enemy, peck- 
ing away with hearty good will, and scattering the eagle’s feathers in a stream as the affrighted 
bird dashed screaming through the air, vainly attempting to rid itself of its puny foe. 
The Ruby-throat is very easily tamed, and is a most loving and trustful little creature. 
Mr. Webber, in the work to which I have already made allusion, has given a most interesting 
account of a number of Ruby-throats which he succeeded in taming. On several occasions he 
had enticed the living meteors into his room by placing vases of tempting flowers on the table, 
and adroitly closing the sash as soon as they were engaged with the flowers, but he had always 
lost them through their dashing at the window and striking themselves against the glass. At 
last, however, his attempts were crowned with success, and “this time I succeeded in securing 
an uninjured captive, which, to my inexpressible delight, proved to be one of the Ruby- 
throated species, the most splendid and diminutive that comes north of Florida. It imme- 
diately suggested itself to me that a mixture of two parts refined loaf-sugar, with one of fine 
honey, in ten of water, would make about the nearest approach to the nectar of flowers. 
‘ ‘ While my sister ran to prepare it, I gradually opened my hand to look at my prisoner, 
and saw, to my no little amusement as well as suspicion, that it was actually ‘playing 
’possum’ — feigning to be dead most skilfully. It lay on my open palm motionless for some 
minutes, during which I watched it in breathless curiosity. I saw it gradually open its bright 
little eyes to peep whether the way was clear, and then close them slowly as it caught my eye 
upon it. But when the manufactured nectar came, and a drop was touched upon the point of 
its bill, it came to life very suddenly ; and in a moment was on its legs, drinking with eager 
gusto of the refreshing draught from a silver tea-spoon. When sated, it refused to take any 
more, and sat perched with the coolest self -composure on my finger, and plumed itself quite 
as artistically as if on its favorite spray. I was enchanted with the bold innocent confidence 
with which it turned up its keen black eyes to survey us, as much as to say, ‘Well, good 
folks ! who are you V ” 
Another species belonging to this genus is well worthy of notice, on account of its beauty 
and interesting habits. This is the Long-tailed Humming-bird of Jamaica ( Trochilus 
'polytmus\ one of the species which do not migrate, but remain in one locality throughout the 
year. It is remarkable for its two long tail-feathers. 
The upper parts of this beautiful bird are green, glossed with gold, the wings are purple- 
brown, and the tail black, with a steel-blue reflection. The long streaming feathers of the 
tail are the pair next to the exterior feathers, and when the bird is in a state of repose they 
