THE SAVAGE WORLD, 
281 
las been given as a distinguishing mark, because of tbe ruby red feathers that 
cover his throat. The back presents a scintillating sheen of gold and iris hues, 
-while the tail feathers are of a purplish, steel color. But the colors of all the 
gayest plumaged hummers are variable, changing with every change of position 
or angle of the sunlight that falls upon them. 
This refulgent property of the feathers is due, as Woods says, to certain 
minute furrows which 
are traced upon the 
surface, and are anal¬ 
ogous in their mode of 
action to the delicate 
lines which give to 
nacre (the interior of 
a shell) its peculiar 
iridescent splendor. 
The ruby throat , 
though scarcely more 
than two inches in 
length, exhibits upon 
occasions the most 
reckless courage and 
bravado. He is up in 
arms against every 
living thing that dares 
to invade his sanctu¬ 
ary, having been fre¬ 
quently seen attacking 
a hawk or eagle with 
fiery fury, and while 
perched upon the 
great bird’s head driv¬ 
ing its keen little bill 
with savage force into 
its enemy’s eyes and 
neck. . Though of a 
peculiarly vengeful dis¬ 
position towards all 
other birds, the ruby 
is more easily tamed 
than perhaps any other 
wild creature. When 
first taken it simulates 
death, but will soon 
respond to gentle treat¬ 
ment, and the moment it shows any activity will begin feeding from the 
hand of its captor, and has been known to return for several seasons to the 
congenial home where it was once held a captive. The ruby builds its nest 
about the first of May and lays but two eggs, which are as many weeks in 
hatching. It is said that nearly all species of humming-birds raise two broods 
ring-neck humming-bird ( Typhccna Duponti). 
