That portion of the continent of America between the Amazon as a southern boundary, and the Rio Grande and Gila as a northern, embracing New Grenada and Guiana, the whole of Central America and Mexico, to which may be added the West India Islands, appears to be the most productive of Humming Birds. Within that range, but especially in the Republic of New Grenada, these splendid little birds are much the most abundant, and it embraces nearly all of the most remarkable in form and most beautiful in plumage. Southward into Brazil and Peru, and other countries of South America, a considerable variety of species are also found; but, in the north, that is to say, north of the line between Mexico and the United States, we have few species of Humming Birds, and even those give us but an imperfect idea of the gorgeous tints of their relatives of the tropical regions of this continent. Of the natural productions of America, these birds have attracted the most universal admiration. Nor has it been, by any means, without foundation. Nature appears to have exhausted herself in the lavish profusion of colors of every tint and shade with which she has adorned these gems of the animal world. They are the most splendidly colored and at the same time the most diminutive of birds. Almost every color known in art is to be met with in the plumage of some one or other of the Humming Birds, and usually with a lustre more resembling that of the most highly finished workmanship in metal, or of the most exquisite precious stones, than the transient or easily destroyed appendages of a delicate animal organization. There are, however, some species which are quite plain in their appearance, and present little or no trace of metallic or other brilliant colors. Of these, one large species is perfectly black; others are reddish-brown, or fulvous and plain dark green. In size, the Humming Birds vary much. The Giant Humming Bird of Brazil, which is the largest, though one of the plainest, is about the size of the Chimney Bird of the United States, and several fine species of the later discoveries in this group are but little smaller. Several species are quite as large as the House Wren. On the other hand, there are Humming Birds little larger than the Humble Bee of our meadows; and there are many species of Beetles and other coleopterous insects, that are much larger. The common ruby-throated Humming Bird of the United States, is a medium-sized species, and of respectable dimensions when compared with some of his pigmy brethren of the far South.