Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-20


one Of the most attractive parts
Of the collection TO one who
looks at il from the aesthetic standpoint.
There are $50 kinds Of hummine-birds
known. While they differ widely in
size and appearance, they bear aresem-
blsnce structurally, and have similar
habits, feeding upon honey and insects.
The collection comprises nearly all
known kinds, from the giant humm'ng-
bird of Mexico, which boasts OF pro-
portions nearly as great as those Of the
robin, TO tiny humming-bird Of ia
maira, scarcely more than an inch long.
There are humming-birds with bills
longer than their bodies, which they
use in extracting honey from deep
cupped flowers, and humming-birds with
no more beak than an ordinary wren.
Many Of the different varieties of hum
ming-birds are distinguished only by the
marking Of their feathers. The colors are
rich and gorgeous. The crown, throat,
and breast are marked with topaz, gold,
and ruby in the most exquisite shades.
The colors seem iridescent. A pecu-
liarity of some of the birds which Mr..
Ridgwsy pointed out the Star reporter
is that you can only see one color at
time. When the throat or breast is
thrown back at certain angle the first
color seen disappears and another comes
to view. The feathers have sheen or
gloss like FURNISHED gold or gems, and
in some cases are so nearly luminous
that the colors become more pronounced
in dark place than in the twilight. In
every variety where this gloss or sheen
exists, except one, the gloss be-
comes visible only when looking
at the bird from its front. II the
bird was flying from one the colors
would be dull and lustreless. In the
one exceptional case the bird would APP
pear as shining only to the one who got
rear view. Many Of these birds de-
rive beauty not only from their match
less colors, but from the graceful ar
raDgement Of their feathery drapery.
Some have most delicate little ruffs
about their Threats, and are called CO.
quotes. Others have two long and
graceful tail-feathers, which cross each
other in beautiful curves.
Nearly all the South and Central
American birds are conspicuous for the
richness Of their plumage. The feath-
cry gorgeousness reaches its climax in
the royal bird Of the Aztecs, a magni-
ficent creature, considered to surpass
the famed bird Of paradise in grace and
exQuisiteness Of color.
The markings Of birds differ very
strangely sometimes, and form the only
distinction between two varieties. In
Ecuador, for instance, one variety Of
humming-bird, marked in a peculiar
way, is found only at a certain eleva-
ton on the side Of Chimborazo. Upon
a neighboriDg mountain, at a certain
elevation, is found another humming-
bird the exact counterpart Of his Chin
borazo cousin except in color. The
pattern upon which the colors are laid |
are the same, but the cOlors themselves
are different. In some valleys a few
miles in extent are found birds pecu-
liarly marked, which have never been
found elsewhere.
In South America Mr.. Ridgway says
native Indians are largely engaged in
hunting birds for the trade. Recently,
in one consignment, 1900 humming-
birds were sent from Brazil to Paris.
" Sometimes" said Mr.. Ridgway, "the
natives will make up bird by attach
ing feathers to it that do not rightly
belong to it to give it an attractive APP
pearance. They do this very skilfully,
and, Of course, it makes no difference
TO the lady who wears it on her bon
net, and is more particular about the
effects Of colors than scientific truth
A bird fell into the hands Of an Eng
lish ornithologiSt some time ago, and
lie supposed he had great prize. He
had described it at length in commu-
to scientific society and pub
lished illustrations of it. 1t turned
out TO be a combination bird, made up
by one of these Indians, and con-
structed very perfectly. The wings
and tail of one variety OF bird had
been attached to the body of an
other"
DO | think birds have reason?"
said Mr.. Ridgway, repeating query Of
a Star reporter. "Well, have seen
many things which make me believe
they have some reason. remember
one remarkable instance. came once
upon the nest of humming- bird which
had been attached to the bark Of a dead
wig. The bark had peeled off and
broken, so that the nest had been
turned over and the eggs spilled out.
The bird then built another and much
smaller nest upon the other side Of the
park, so light in weight that it was just
nicely balanced by the old nest. No
hing but reason could have told bird
low to build the most in that way"
The bright color Of the plumage Of
Ome of the birds will fade and be-
ONE dingy after exposure to the light.
nt SOAOio VI iiVot VI blC piluS. IlOW- .
yer, are fast colors. Dyers might get
ONE very valuable suggestions by a
areful analysis Of natures process.
The plumage Of some Of the birds is
ust tipped with red, so that when it is
nruilled the bird presents a uniform
ed appearance. When the feathers /,
re RULED, however, the bird becomes
hite. One bird, the plantain-eater of
africa, has brilliant red breast, the
olor Of which will easily wash out. ,
When the bird is drenched by rain all
he red color disappears. The bird, .
owever, soon renews its brilliant color g,
cOm store of pigment or dye-stuff I.
'hich it secretes. The same effect can :
e produced on the feathers of this :
ird by using aniline dye. =
The taxidermist's work-room, in 9
mall building. adjoining the Smith :
oman building, is filled with curious y
nd beautiful specimens Of birds, in y
arious stages Of preparation. Among +,
le odd birds are two specimens of the p
tarmigan. with the name of which q
very one who has read reports Of Arc =
c expeditions is familiar. One is q
in his winter dress Of white b