152 
INSESSORES 
CHAPTER VIII. 
INSESSORES: SYNDACTYLI. 
HUMMING BIRDS. 
The number of species of Humming Birds known 
to Linnaeus, and other early naturalists, was compar- 
atively few; while, more recently, Lesson, who has 
been considered a great exponent of the family, has, 
in his works upon that subject, only figured and de- 
scribed about one hundred and ten. But through 
the means of various travellers who have given the 
subject their particular attention, the number has been 
gradually swelled, until at the present time it amounts 
to upwards of three hundred and twenty distinct and 
well-defined species. This result is in a great meas- 
ure owing to the energetic exertions of John Gould 
of London and Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of 
Canino, whose collectors have distributed themselves 
throughout the continents of North and South Amer- 
ica, making search among unexplored regions for new 
species.' 
The warm and ever-glowing countries of the Trop- 
ics seem to be the most favorite resort of this lovely 
tribe, before the brilliant fire of whose sparkling plu- 
mage the gorgeous colorings of all other feathered 
races grow dull. There, revelling in the undying 
