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spires. Though possessing but few notes, these are extraordinarily distinct, powerful, harmoni. ous, and clear. Gradually they rise in strength —then fall in gentle cadences, so as to be scarcely audible, expressing alternately all the emotions of the lover, who at one moment exults in the realization of his hopes, the next pauses in doubt as to his fate. It is a peculiar habit among this species of bird to challenge each other from different parts of the forest, as if in rivalry, when their music is more than ordinarily effective, exhibiting a remarkable skill in modulation. These concerts which occur during the “leafy month of June,” take place generally towards evening, so that the notes of other “curious chaunters," who have retired to rest, may not interfere. The wood thrush glides swiftly when on wing, and performs its migrations in a manner characteristic of its love of seclusion, singly and without ever appearing in the open country. It is frequently seen in other parts of the States but is a constant resident in Louisiana, where the whole of its species congregate from different parts for the winter. The sight of a racoon causes these birds much distress, and through the mournful “cluck" with which they follow these animals at a respectful distance, they are unfortunately recognized by the hunters, for their flesh is extremely delicate and juicy.

But unrivalled, perhaps, for powers of melody and grace of motion is the mocking bird, which remains in Louisiana throughout the year. Arrayed in his soft plumage, delicately blended, with movements airy as a butterfly, his tail expanded, and his lovely wings outspread, he may be seen mounting in the air. Describing a circle around his beloved, he alights and approaches her with beaming delighted eyes. After gently inclining himself, as if courteously bowing, he again soars upward, and pours forth an exulting song of conquest, as if his full breast were about to be rent with delight, his notes flowing more softly and richly than before, in varied modulations of wonderfully brilliant execution. Alighting as at first, he then mounts higher in the air, and glances around with a watchful eye, lest any intruder should mar his bliss. Then gaily dancing through the air, as though to assure his companion of the plenitude of his love, his song flows afresh in imitation of every other warbler of the grove, and may be often heard to mimic, even quadrupeds, with ease. There appears to be no foundation, however, for the assertion of his ability to imitate the human voice.

At a certain note from his beloved, the mocking bird, in order to know her wishes, ceases his song. They then mutually inspect the sweet

THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD.

89

brier bushes or orange tree of some garden for a place in which to prepare a nest. Frequently the mocking bird may be seen bearing food in his mouth for his companion, when he flies to the nest to secure her caresses and thanks. Dewberries, garden fruits, and sometimes insects, form their food. These birds are especially careful of their young, and should they perceive that some intruder has visited their nest, they may be heard with low mournful notes condoling together. Different kinds of snakes ascend to their retreats, and frequently destroy the brood, when not only the pair to which the nest belongs, but many other birds of the tribe league together for revenge, fly to the spot, attack the reptile, and either force him to retreat, or else deprive him of life. So much veneration is felt for the mocking bird throughout Louisiana, that one is seldom permitted to be shot.

Returning with the promise of Spring, and the very first genial rays of the sun, as early as the ninth or tenth of March, the ruby-throated humming bird appears in the Louisiana woods; visiting in turn prairies, fields, orchards, and secluded shades of the forest, may be seen this bright aerial wanderer in its gorgeous chameleon hues, sparkling in the air like a fragment of the rainbow. Naturalists unite in describing rapturously this most exquisitely apparelled winged

creature. “Now it flutters from flower to flower, to sip the silver dew-it is now a ruby-now a topaz now an emerald-now all burnished

gold !” *

Fluttering with airy graceful motion from flower to flower, it speeds on humming winglets so lightly as to seem upheld by magic. The dazzling beauty of its delicate form, clothed in plumage of resplendent changing green, is increased by the brilliancy of its throat, now glowing with fiery hue, now transformed into a deep velvet-like black, as throwing itself onwards with inconceivable vivacity and swiftness, it darts like a gleam of light upon the eye. Skimming on fairy wing, it carefully approaches the opening blossoms. Poised in the air, its sparkling eye peeps cautiously into their immost recesses, like a skilful florist, careful to remove the hurtful insects that lurk within their beauteous petals, and threaten them with decay. In this process so light and rapid are the motions of its ethereal pinions, that they seem rather to fan and cool the flower, than injure its fragile loveliness, while the dreamy murmuring of the bird, lulling the insects to repose, hastens the moment of their destruction. Instantly as the delicate bill of the bird enters the flower cup, the enemy is drawn

* Charles Waterton's Wanderings, p. 114.

THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. 91

forth and dispatched in a moment, when the bird departs, after sipping a little of the liquid honey gratefully given by the flower to its champion. This beautiful creature seems to possess great activity of flight. “The whole structure of these birds is adapted for flight; their feet are very small, their tail is large, their wings are very long and narrow."* Sometimes, the humming of its wings telling its approach, it is seen within a few feet, when one is suddenly astonished at the rapidity with which it soars, and is out of sight and hearing in a moment. Its flight is performed in long undulations. It does not alight on the ground, but settles on twigs and branches, where it moves sideways in prettily measured steps, often opening and shutting its wings in "silent ecstasy.” After pluming and shaking, as if arranging its splendid apparel, it is fond of spreading one wing at a time, and passing each of the feathers through its bill, the wing being thus rendered extremely transparent, and glittering in the light. Not unfrequently it is chased by a large kind of humble bee, of which it haughtily disdains to take notice, as in a minute its rapid journeying leaves the drone far behind. Its nest is of a peculiarly delicate nature, the outer parts being of a light gray

White's Popular History of Birds, p. 66.