We should scarcely have expected to find the smallest specimens of the
feathered tribe inhabiting the same region as the mighty, coarse-feeding
condor; but whereas the latter pounces down on his carrion banquet into
the plains below, the little humming-bird seeks his food from the bright
flowers which clothe the mountainside, or the minute insects which fly
amid them.
Humming-birds are found throughout the whole of the New World, from the
borders of the great Canadian lakes, along the entire range of the
Cordilleras, down to the shores of Tierra del Fuego; also in the West
India Islands, and over the whole wide-extending plains watered by the
Orinoco, the Amazon, and other great rivers which empty themselves into
the Atlantic. The greater number of the species exist about the
equator, and, as might be expected, diminish as we proceed either to the
south or north.
They obtain their name on account 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
rapidity of his flight, he can avoid the attacks of even the swiftest of
the larger race.
There is a remarkable circumstance connected with humming-birds,
especially in lofty regions, where they are more particularly
susceptible of electric influences. It is well known that in many
regions small birds are found killed after a thunder-storm, in
consequence of the amount of electricity in the air. The humming-birds,
as if conscious of this danger, build their nests of peculiar form, and
of materials which are bad conductors of electricity, within which they
are thoroughly protected. The nests of some are shaped like inverted
cones, tapering to a fine point--that, as is supposed, the electricity
which would destroy the delicate young ones, or the vitality of the
eggs, may pass off into the air.
Their notes are very feeble, rarely rising into a whistle. In one week
after they are hatched, the young birds are ready to fly, but they are
fed by their parents for nearly another week. Their plumage, however,
does not attain its full brilliancy till the succeeding spring.
But we must confine ourselves to the humming-birds of the Cordilleras,
on the western coast.