10 
BEArTIFUL BIBBS. 
the sources of the Elk River, and are known to reacli 
as far as the fifty-seventh parallel. 
“ To enumerate all the flowers of which this species 
is fond,” AVilson observes, “would he to repeat the 
names of half onr American Elora. Erom the blos- 
soms of the towering poplar or tnlip-tree, through a 
thousand intermediate flowers, to those of the humble 
larkspiu’, he ranges at will and almost incessantly. 
Every period of the season produces a fresh multitude 
of new favoimtes. Towards the month of September 
there is a yellow flower, Avhich grows in great Inxiiri- 
ance along the sides of creeks and rivers, and in low 
moist situations ; it grows to the height of two or 
three feet, and the flower, which is about the size of a 
thimble, hangs, in the shape of a cap of liberty, about 
a luxuriant groviih of green leaves. It is the Bed- 
samina noVi-me-tangere of botanists, and is the greatest 
tavoimte with the Humming Eh’d of all our other 
flowers. In some places, where these plants abound, 
yon may see, at one time, ten or twelve Humming 
Birds darting about, and fighting with and pursuing 
each other. About the 20th of September they gene- 
rally return to the south. 
% 
“ The flight of the Humming Bird from flower to 
flower greatly resembles that of a bee ; but it is so 
much more rapid, that the latter appears a mere 
loiterer to him. AVhen arrived before a thicket of 
trumpet-flowers that are full blown, he poises or sus- 
pends himself on wing for the space of two or three 
seconds, and so steadily that his wings become in- 
visible or only lilve a mist, and you can plainly dis- 
tinguish the pupil of his eye looking round with great 
