Sun-angel

The little group of hummers, called by the poetical name of sun-angels, are all remarkable for the exceeding lustre of the feathers decorating their throats.

The mars sun-angel is a native of the Andes, and is a very rare bird, no other of the species has the same colouring.

In most hummingbirds, only the male is iridescent, but in the South American tourmaline sun-angel, some females are as well, while others are plain-coloured.

According to poetical conception this was Uriel the sun-angel.

"This is not a woman!" declared Philip with heat and eagerness, " at least not the sort of woman I have ever known! This is a forest-empress, sea-goddess, or sun-angel !..."

It is especially popular in Persia where at one time Meher or Mithra, the sun or sun-angel, was held in high veneration.