nt of the humming sound which their wings
produce when they are hovering over the flowers in which they seek their
food. The sound, however, varies in the species; and the well-practised
ear of the naturalist is often able to distinguish without difficulty
one from the other. Some are furnished with strong wings, with which
they can extend their flight over a large extent of country; and many
are migratory. Others again have only small wings, and are compelled to
remain always in the same locality. So rapid is their flight, that the
eye can scarcely distinguish the little bird as it cleaves the air; and
when hovering over a flower, the wings appear like filmy grey fans on
either side.

The food of most species consists partly of insects and partly of the
honey extracted from flowers. In order to obtain its food from the deep
recesses of flowers, it possesses a long delicate beak; in some birds
straight, in others curved downwards, while some, again, have a double
curve. These variations in form are undoubtedly to suit the particular
flowers on which they feed. By means of the peculiar structure of its
tongue, which is long, filamentous, and doubled nearly to the base, it
is enabled to project it to a great distance--even into the very depths
of the largest flowers.

There are upwards of three hundred species of these beautiful birds, and
others are being constantly discovered--one vying with the other in
beauty and richness of plumage--truly described as the "feathered gems
of the mountain and forest." Some humming-birds tower, like the lark,
to a great height in the air; while others keep always near the ground,
among the shrubs in which they live.

The nests of humming-birds vary in form and structure, but they are all
of a most delicate nature. The external parts of some are formed of
light grey lichen, and so perfectly arranged round it as to appear at a
little distance as if only forming part of the branch to which it is
attached. The interior consists of the silky fibres of the cotton-tree,
extremely delicate and soft. The female lays a couple of eggs only,
purely white, and about the size of peas. Ten days are required for
their hatching, and the birds raise two broods in a season. When first
hatched they are not larger than an ordinary-sized fly. Small as is the
male humming-bird, he is a brave little fellow, and will courageously
fly at the largest bird which approaches his nest; while, by the