THE FLY-CATCHERS.
The Fly-catchers are a family of insect-eating Birds, many of which are British, distinguished by long, broad, and very flat bills, contracting suddenly at the tip; the tail is short, slender and rounded; the legs long and weak. It has a bright green plumage above, whitish beneath; and a scarlet throat. It is a native of South America and the Antilles; and a traveler, under the name of Green Humming-bird, describes it as “one of the most beautiful birds he ever saw.” It is a familiar little Bird, and will often let a Man come within a few feet to admire it before becoming alarmed.
It lives almost entirely on the ground, feeding on Insects, which it catches in the evening. It builds its nest in the crevices on river banks, or in the soft rocks, in which it hollows out a dwelling by means of its bill and feet.