The RUBY AND TOPAZ WOOD-NYMPH (_Chrysolampis moschita_), a most
magnificently-adorned Brazilian Humming Bird, is brown on the crown of
the head, with a glowing throat of ruby-red, and upper breast irradiated
by a tint that can only be compared to the golden glow of sunrise. The
wings gleam with a violet light, and the light brown tail has each feather
relieved by a black border. The beak and feet are black. The female and
young are metallic green above and grey on the under side. This species is
four inches long and five broad, the wing measures two inches and the tail
one inch and a half.
The central part of South America affords a home to this most
exquisitely-ornamented little bird. "If any one species of this extensive
family be better known than any other," says Gould, "it is undoubtedly
the Ruby and Topaz Humming Bird, for it is not only one of the earliest
discovered, but its beauty is of such a character as to fix at once the
attention of every observer. It is also one of the commonest of the entire
group, and plays no inconsiderable part in commerce, as the capturing
and preparing specimens, which are sent home by thousands, affords
considerable employment to the Brazilian slaves and others in its native
country; moreover, in Europe and elsewhere, this species always forms a
conspicuous object in the groups of birds arranged under glass shades.
But, alas! nothing is known as to its manner of life, for though it has
been described for more than a hundred years, and its native country
repeatedly visited by enterprising explorers, no one of them has placed on
record any details as to its habits. It is said to perch occasionally, and
spread its large, rounded tail to the fullest extent, like the Peacock.
The cup-shaped nest is also known to be composed of cottony material, and
decorated externally with leaves and small patches of lichens."
* * * * *
The FLOWER-NYMPHS (_Florisugus_) are for the most part powerfully formed
and large Humming Birds, with a short tail, scarcely exceeding the closed
wing in length. The strong beak is not incised, and the sexes differ more
or less in their coloration. Some of them appear to be migratory; at
least, they would seem to approach the tropic during the colder parts of
the year, and to retreat before the returning heat, thus maintaining an
equable temperature.