ÃÛèÖAPP

John James ÃÛèÖAPP is even more poetic than usual in his characterization of theÌýhummingbird. An eye for detail and a penchanct for the idyllic, he explored the oddities found inÌýeach tiny bird. Here areÌýfour species originally chronicled byÌýthe ornithologist-cum-painter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird:Ìý"The Curious Florist"

Recounting a Ruby-throated's hungry hover, ÃÛèÖAPP writes:Ìý"No sooner has the returning sun again introduced the vernal season, and caused millions of plants to expand their leaves and blossoms to his genial beams, than the little Humming-bird is seen advancing on fairy wings, carefully visiting every opening flower-cup, and, like a curious florist, removing from each the injurious insects that otherwise would ere long cause their beauteous petals to droop and decay."

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Mango Hummingbird: "The Greatest Ornament of the Garden"

In warm ÃÛèÖAPPs where Bigonias and other tubular flowers bloom all year and insects sport in the sunshine, ÃÛèÖAPP writes that Mango HummingbirdsÌý"are the greatest ornaments of the gardens and forests. Such in most cases is the brilliancy of their plumage, that I am unable to find apt objects of comparison unless I resort to the most brilliant gems and the richest metals."Ìý

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Columbian Hummingbird: "Metallic Feathers of Glossy Green"

TheÌýColumbian HummingbirdÌýis known today as the Anna's Hummingbird.ÌýÃÛèÖAPP called it "Columbian" because someone sent specimens to him fromÌýthe region of the Columbia River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean up in northern Oregon, says bird expert andÌýÃÛèÖAPPÌýfield editor Kenn Kaufman. ÃÛèÖAPP writes, "My good friend Thomas Nuttall while travelling from the Rocky Mountains toward California happened to observe on a low oak bush a Humming bird's nest on which the female was sitting Having cautiously approached he secured the bird with his hat The male in the meantime fluttered angrily around but as my friend had not a gun he was unable to procure it."

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Ruff-necked Hummingbird: "The Magic Carbuncle of Glowing Fire"

InÌýdescribingÌýRuff-neck males, ÃÛèÖAPP employs the words ofÌýhis friend, Mr. Thomas Nuttall:Ìý"We now for the first time (April 16) saw the males in numbers, darting, burring, and squeaking in the usual manner of their tribe; but when engaged in collecting its accustomed sweets in all the energy of life, it seemed like a breathing gem, or magic carbuncle of glowing fire, stretching out its gorgeous ruff, as if to emulate the sun itself in splendour."

Explore the rest of John James ÃÛèÖAPP's Birds of America.Ìý