HUMMING-BIRD. 
79 
frequently, he always prefers the small dead twigs of a tree, or 
bush, where he dresses and arranges his plumage with great 
dexterity. His only note is a single chirp, not louder than that 
of a small cricket or grasshopper, generally uttered while pass- 
ing from flower to floAver, or when engaged in fight with his 
fellows; for when two males meet at the same bush, or flower, 
a battle instantly takes place; and the combatants ascend in the 
air, chirping, darting and circling around each other, till the 
eye is no longer al^e to follow them. The conqueror, however, 
generally returns to the place, to reap the fruits of his victory. 
I have seen him attack, and for a few moments tease the King- 
bird; and have also seen him, in his turn, assaulted by a humble- 
bee, which he soon put to flight. He is one of those few birds 
that are universally beloved; and amidst the sweet dewy serenity 
of a summer’s morning, his appearance among the arbours of 
honeysuckles, and beds of flowers, is truly interesting. 
When morning dawns, and the blest sun, again 
Lifts liis red glories fi-om the Eastern main. 
Then through our woodbines, wet with glittering dews. 
The flower-fed Humming-bird his round pm'sues; 
Sips with inserted tube, the honeyed blooms. 
And cliirps his gratitude as round he roams; 
While richest roses, though in crimson drest. 
Shrink from tlie splendour of his gorgeous breast; 
What heav’nly tints in mingling radiance fly! 
Each rapid movement gives a different dye; 
Like scales of bm-nish’d gold they dazzling show. 
Now sink to shade — ^now like a furnace glow! 
The singularity of this little bird has induced many persons 
to attempt to raise them from the nest, and accustom them to 
the cage. Mr. Cofier, of Fairfax county, Virginia, a gentleman 
who has paid great attention to the manners and peculiarities of 
our native birds, told me, that he raised and kept two, for some 
months, in a cage; supplying them with honey dissolved in 
water, on which they readily fed. As the sweetness of the 
liquid frequently brought small flies and gnats about the cage. 
