18 G 
THE MANGO HUMMING-BIRD. 
Trochilus mango, Linn. 
PLATE OCLI. — Males and Female. 
I am indebted to my learned friend tlie Reverend John Bachman for 
this species of Humming-bird, of which he received a specimen from our 
mutual friend Dr. Strobel, and afterwards presented it to me. 
“Hitherto,” says he, “it has been supposed that only one species of 
Humming-bird (the Trochilus Coluhris ) ever visits the United States. 
Although this is a genus consisting of upwards of a hundred species, all of 
which are peculiar to the Continent of America and the adjoining islands, 
yet with few exceptions they are confined to the tropics. In those warm 
climates, where the Bignonias and other tubular flowers that bloom through- 
out the year, and innumerable insects that sport in the sun-shine, afford an 
abundance of food, these lively birds are the greatest ornaments of the 
gardens and forests. Such in most cases is the brilliancy of their plumage, 
that I am unable to find apt objects of comparison unless I resort to the most 
brilliant gems and the richest metals. So rapid is their flight that they seem 
to outstrip the wind. Almost always on the wing, we scarcely see them in 
any other position. Living on the honeyed sweets of the most beautiful 
flowers, and the minute insects concealed in their corollas, they come to us 
as etherial beings, and it is not surprising that they should have excited 
the wonder and admiration of mankind. 
“ It affords me great pleasure to introduce to the lovers of Natural History 
this species of Humming-bird as an inhabitant of the United States. The 
specimen which is now in my posession, was obtained by Dr. Strobel, at 
Key West, in East Florida. He informed me that he had succeeded in 
capturing it from a bush where he had found it seated, apparently wearied 
after its long flight across the Gulf of Mexico, probably from some of the 
West India Islands, or the coast of South America. Whether this species is 
numerous in any part of Florida, I have no means of ascertaining. The 
interior of that territory, as its name indicates, is the land of flowers, and 
consequently well suited to the peculiar habits of this genus ; and as it has 
seldom been visited by ornithologists, it is possible that not only this, but 
several other species of Humming-birds, may yet be discovered as inhabit- 
ants of our southern country. 
