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Any one of numerous species of beautiful humming birds of the genus Eriocnemis having large tufts of downy feathers on the legs.

Any one of several species of humming birds of the genus Steganura, having two of the tail feathers very long and racket- shaped.

Any species of South American humming birds of the genus Clytolæma. The males have a ruby-colored throat or breast. Ruby of arsenic, Ruby of sulphur (Chem.), a glassy substance of a red color and a variable composition, but always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; -- called also ruby sulphur. -- Ruby of…

Any one of numerous species of humming birds belonging to Trochilus, Calypte, Stellula, and allies, in which the male has on the throat a brilliant patch of red feathers having metallic reflections; esp., the common humming bird of the Eastern United States (Trochilus colubris).

Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue. Star sapphire, or Asteriated sapphire (Min.), a kind of sapphire which exhibits asterism.

Any one of several species of brilliant South American humming birds of the genus Sappho, having very bright-colored and deeply forked tails; -- called also firetail.

A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird.

Any one of several species of humming birds of the genus Thaumastura having a long forked tail.

Any one of three species of humming birds of the genus Eutoxeres, native of Central and South America. They have a long and strongly curved bill. Called also the sickle-billed hummer.

Any of various devices to silence the humming noise of telegraph wires.

A very small humming bird (Microchæra albocoronata) native of New Grenada.

What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty Shak. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird (Lophornis reginæ). See Coquette, 2.

Any humming bird of the genus Heliomaster. The feathers of the throat have a brilliant metallic luster.

A division of passerine birds including the humming birds, swifts, and goatsuckers. It is now generally considered an artificial group.

Adapted for sucking; living by sucking; as, the humming birds are suctorial birds.

of revolution the double of its own. G. Francis. -- Sun angel (Zoöl.), a South American humming bird of the genus Heliangelos, noted for its beautiful colors and the brilliant luster of the feathers of its throat. -- Sun animalcute. (Zoöl.) See Heliozoa. -- Sun bath (Med.), exposure of a patient to the sun's rays;…

the East Indies, and Australia. In external appearance and habits they somewhat resemble humming birds, but they are true singing birds (Oscines).

l muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds.

A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus) having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of the bird.

Any one of several species of very brilliant South American humming birds, having a very long and deeply-forked tail; as, the blue-tailed sylph (Cynanthus cyanurus).