The Humming-bird

The Humming-bird

Of all animated beings this is the most elegant in form and the most brilliant in colors. The stones and metals polished by our arts are not comparable to(1) this jewel of Nature(2). She(3) has placed it least in size of(4) the order of birds(5), "maxime Miranda in minimis(6).". Her masterpiece is this little humming-bird, and upon it she has heaped all the gifts(7) which the other birds may only share. Lightness, rapidity, nimbleness, grace, and rich apparel(8) all belong to this little favorite. The emerald(9), the ruby(10), and the topaz(11) gleam upon its dress(12). It never soils them with the dust of earth, and in its aerial life scarcely touches the turf an instant. Always in the air, flying from flower to flower, it has their freshness as well as their brightness. It lives upon their nectar, and dwells only in the climates where they perennially bloom.


注釋:

(1) are not comparable to ：比不上……的。
(2) this jewel of Nature：這個大自然的珍寶。這裏作者把美麗無比的蜂鳥比作大自然中的一顆天然珍寶。
(3) she ：指Nature
(4) in size of ：按……大小
(5) the order of birds：鳥類
(6) maxime Miranda in minimis：拉丁語 maxime解作"最大"， Miranda 解作"值得稱羨的東西"， minimis 解作"最小"。
(7) upon it she has heaped all the gifts…：大自然賦予蜂鳥……的一切資質。
(8) rich apparel ：原義為色彩鮮豔的衣服，這裏借喻蜂鳥絢麗的羽毛。
(9) emerald：原義綠寶石，這裏指翠綠色。
(10) ruby：原義紅寶石，這裏指豔紅色。
(11) topaz：原義黃玉，這裏指嫩黃色。
(12) dress：這裏借喻蜂鳥的羽毛。


Additional words and their definitions:

being [ˈbiːɪŋ] n 1. the state or fact of existing; existence 2. essential nature; self she put her whole being into the part 3. something that exists or is thought to exist, esp something that cannot be assigned to any category a being from outer space 4. a person; human being 5. (Philosophy) (in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality Compare becoming [3] creature [ˈkriːtʃə] n 1. a living being, esp an animal 2. something that has been created, whether animate or inanimate a creature of the imagination 3. a human being; person: used as a term of scorn, pity, or endearment 4. a person who is dependent upon another; tool or puppet [from Church Latin crēatūra, from Latin crēare to create] species [ˈspiːʃiːz (Latin) ˈspiːʃɪˌiːz] n pl -cies 1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology a.  any of the taxonomic groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are capable of interbreeding: often containing subspecies, varieties, or races. A species is designated in italics by the genus name followed by the specific name, for example Felis domesticus (the domestic cat) Abbreviation sp b.  the animals of such a group c.  any group of related animals or plants not necessarily of this taxonomic rank 2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) (modifier) denoting a plant that is a natural member of a species rather than a hybrid or cultivar a species clematis 3. (Philosophy / Logic) Logic a group of objects or individuals, all sharing at least one common attribute, that forms a subdivision of a genus 4. a kind, sort, or variety a species of treachery 5. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) Chiefly RC Church the outward form of the bread and wine in the Eucharist 6. Obsolete an outward appearance or form 7. Obsolete specie heap (hp) n. 1. A group of things placed or thrown, one on top of the other: a heap of dirty rags lying in the corner. 2. Informal A great deal; a lot. Often used in the plural: We have heaps of homework tonight. 3. Slang An old or run-down car. tr.v. heaped, heap·ing, heaps 1. To put or throw in a pile. 2. To fill completely or to overflowing: heap a plate with vegetables. 3. To bestow in abundance or lavishly: heaped praise on the rescuers. gift (gft) n. 1. Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation. 2. The act, right, or power of giving. 3. A talent, endowment, aptitude, or inclination. tr.v. gift·ed, gift·ing, gifts 1. To present something as a gift to. 2. To endow with. rap·id (rpd) adj. rap·id·er, rap·id·est Moving, acting, or occurring with great speed. See Synonyms at fast1. n. An extremely fast-moving part of a river, caused by a steep descent in the riverbed. Often used in the plural. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Latin rapidus, from rapere, to seize; see rep- in Indo-European roots.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ra·pidi·ty (r-pd-t), rapid·ness (rpd-ns) n. rapid·ly adv. nim·ble (nmbl) adj. nim·bler, nim·blest 1. Quick, light, or agile in movement or action; deft: nimble fingers. See Synonyms at dexterous. 2. Quick, clever, and acute in devising or understanding: nimble wits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Middle English nemel, from Old English nmel, quick to seize and numol, quick at learning; see nem- in Indo-European roots.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- nimble·ness n. nimbly adv. em·er·ald (mr-ld, mrld) n. 1. A brilliant green to grass-green transparent variety of beryl, used as a gemstone. 2. A strong yellowish green. adj. Of a strong yellowish green. ru·by (rb) n. pl. ru·bies 1. A deep red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, highly valued as a precious stone. 2. Something, such as a watch bearing, that is made from a ruby. 3. A dark or deep red to deep purplish red. adj. Of the color ruby. to·paz (tpz) n. 1. a. A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink aluminum silicate mineral, often found in association with granitic rocks and valued as a gemstone, especially in the brown and pink varieties. b. Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum. 2. A light yellow variety of quartz. 3. Either of two South American hummingbirds (Topaza pyra or T. pella) having colorful plumage. gleam (glm) n. 1. A brief beam or flash of light: saw gleams of daylight through the cracks. 2. A steady but subdued shining; a glow: the gleam of burnished gold. 3. A brief or dim indication; a trace: a gleam of intelligence. v. gleamed, gleam·ing, gleams 1. To emit a gleam; flash or glow: "Their tile roofs gleamed in the moon's pallid radiance" (Laura Joh Rowland). See Synonyms at flash. 2. To be reflected as a gleam: The sun gleamed on the water. 3. To be manifested or indicated briefly or faintly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Middle English glem, from Old English glm; see ghel-2 in Indo-European roots.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- gleamer n. soil 1 (soil) n. 1. The top layer of the earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with organic matter. 2. A particular kind of earth or ground: sandy soil. 3. Country; land: native soil. 4. The agricultural life: a man of the soil. 5. A place or condition favorable to growth; a breeding ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, a piece of ground (influenced in meaning by Latin solum, soil), from Latin solium, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- soil 2 (soil) v. soiled, soil·ing, soils v.tr. 1. To make dirty, particularly on the surface. 2. To disgrace; tarnish: a reputation soiled by scandal. 3. To corrupt; defile. 4. To dirty with excrement. v.intr. To become dirty, stained, or tarnished. n. 1. a. The state of being soiled. b. A stain. 2. Filth, sewage, or refuse. 3. Manure, especially human excrement, used as fertilizer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Middle English soilen, from Old French souiller, from Vulgar Latin *suculre (from Late Latin suculus, diminutive of Latin ss, pig; see s- in Indo-European roots) or from souil, pigsty, wallow (from Latin solium, seat; see soil1).] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- soil 3 (soil) tr.v. soiled, soil·ing, soils 1. To feed (livestock) with soilage. 2. To purge (livestock) by feeding with green food. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Origin unknown.] aer·i·al (âr-l, -îr-l) adj. 1. Of, in, or caused by the air. 2. Existing or living in the air. 3. Reaching high into the air; lofty. 4. Suggestive of air, as in lightness; airy. 5. Unsubstantial; imaginary. 6. Of, for, or by means of aircraft: aerial photography. 7. Botany Growing or borne above the ground or water: aerial roots. n. (âr-l) A radio antenna, especially one suspended in or extending into the air. turf (tûrf) n. pl. turfs also turves (tûrvz) 1. a. A surface layer of earth containing a dense growth of grass and its matted roots; sod. b. An artificial substitute for such a grassy layer, as on a playing field. 2. A piece cut from a layer of earth or sod. 3. A piece of peat that is burned for use as fuel. 4. Slang   a. The range of the authority or influence of a person, group, or thing; a bailiwick: "a bureaucracy ... concerned with turf, promotions, the budget, and protecting the retirement system" (Harper's).   b. A geographical area; a territory.   c. The area claimed by a gang, as of youths, as its personal territory. 5. Sports   a. A racetrack.   b. The sport or business of racing horses. tr.v. turfed, turf·ing, turfs 1. To spread with turf: turfed the front yard. 2. Chiefly British Slang To displace or eject. 3. Slang To kill: "These guys can't . . . make sure nobody gets turfed" (Scott Turow). nec·tar (nktr) n. 1. A sweet liquid secreted by flowers of various plants, consumed by pollinators, such as hummingbirds and insects, and gathered by bees for making honey. 2. Greek & Roman Mythology The drink of the gods. 3. A delicious or invigorating drink. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Latin, from Greek nektar, drink of the gods; see nek-1 in Indo-European roots.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- nectar·ous adj. dwell (dwl) intr.v. dwelt (dwlt) or dwelled, dwell·ing, dwells 1. To live as a resident; reside. 2. To exist in a given place or state: dwell in joy. 3.   a. To fasten one's attention: kept dwelling on what went wrong. See Synonyms at brood.   b. To speak or write at length; expatiate: dwelt on the need to trim the budget. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Middle English dwellen, from Old English dwellan, to mislead, delay, dwell.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dweller n. per·en·ni·al (p-rn-l) adj. 1. Lasting or active through the year or through many years. 2. a. Lasting an indefinitely long time; enduring: perennial happiness. b. Appearing again and again; recurrent. See Synonyms at continual. 3. Botany Living three or more years. n. 1. Botany A perennial plant. 2. Something that recurs or seems to recur on a yearly or continual basis: "that hardy perennial, the budget deficit" (David S. Broder). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Latin perennis (per-, throughout; see per- + annus, year; see at- in Indo-European roots) + -al.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- per·enni·al·ly adv. bloom 1 (blm) n. 1.   a. The flower of a plant.   b. Something resembling the flower of a plant: "Her hair was caught all to one side in a great bloom of frizz" (Anne Tyler). 2.   a. The condition of being in flower: a rose in full bloom.   b. A condition or time of vigor, freshness, and beauty; prime: "the radiant bloom of Greek genius" (Edith Hamilton). 3. A fresh, rosy complexion: "She was short, plump, and fair, with a fine bloom" (Jane Austen). 4.   a. A waxy or powdery whitish to bluish coating on the surface of certain plant parts, as on cabbage leaves or on a plum or grape.   b. A similar coating, as on newly minted coins.   c. Grayish blotches or streaks on the surface of chocolate produced by the formation of cocoa butter crystals.   d. Chemistry See efflorescence. 5. Glare that is caused by a shiny object reflecting too much light into a television camera. 6. A visible, colored area on the surface of bodies of water caused by excessive planktonic growth. v. bloomed, bloom·ing, blooms v.intr. 1.   a. To bear a flower or flowers.   b. To support plant life in abundance: rains that made the yard bloom. 2. To shine; glow. 3. To grow or flourish with youth and vigor. 4. To appear or expand suddenly: White vapor bloomed from the side of the rocket's fuel tank. v.tr. 1. To cause to flourish. 2. Obsolete To cause to flower.

漢譯：蜂鳥

在一切生物中，要算蜂鳥體型最優美、顏色最鮮豔。經過工藝加工的各種寶石和金屬是無法跟這個大自然的珍寶媲美的。大自然按照鳥類的大小把它列為最小號，真是"最小的絕妙珍品"。這種小蜂鳥是大自然的傑作。大自然把其他鳥類隻能分有其中一部分的種種天賦全部慷慨地給了它。這個小寵兒具有輕盈、敏捷、靈活、優雅以及羽毛絢麗等一切妙處。那翠綠的、豔紅的、嫩黃色的羽毛閃閃發光。蜂鳥從不讓它的羽毛沾染塵土，它生活在天空中，一刻也不碰到草皮。它總是在空中飛翔，從花叢飛向花叢；它象花一樣的新鮮，又象花一樣的豔麗。蜂鳥靠花蜜為生，它隻生活在四季鮮花盛開的地帶。
（範钜清　譯）


作者簡介：

        BUFFON,CEORGE LOUIS LECLERC, COMTEDE(1707-1788) French naturalist and writer, famous for his Histoire naturelle (36 vols, 1749-1788) written in collaboration with others and translated into many languages. His theories and speculations are important in the study of the theory of evolution.

　　喬治· 路易· 勒史萊爾· 布豐伯爵(1707-1788) 法國博物學家和作家。他和別人合作編纂的三十六卷本《博物學》(1749-1788)是一部名著，被譯成許多種語言。他的理論和探索是研究進化論的重要文獻。 

下麵框框裏是大家的英譯總匯：

Source: http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/zhongyiingfanyi/107530.html NewVoice: Hummingbirds Of all the living organisms, hummingbirds have the most beautiful bodies and brightest colors. Various kinds of crafted gems and metals cannot match this treasure of the natural world. It was listed as the smallest birds of the nature based on the size – it is truly “the smallest exquisite creature”. This little hummingbird is the masterpiece of the nature. The Mother Nature has generously given all the gifts to the hummingbirds, whereas other birds only share a part of them. This favorite bird possesses all the good things - graceful, fast, flexible, and beautiful feathers. Their emerald green, bright crimson and light yellow feathers are sparkling. Hummingbirds never let its feathers contaminated with dust; it lives in the sky, and never touches the grass. It is always soaring in the air, from one flower bush to another; it is as fresh as a flower, and as pretty as a flower. Hummingbirds live on the nectars of flowers, so they can only live in places with blooming flowers for all four seasons. newton123: 譯The Humming-bird Among all living things, a huming bird can be counted the most elegant in body shape, and the most colorful. The processed gems and metals have no way to compete with this natural beauty. Its size is the smallest in the catalog of birds, a genuin precious miniature. This is a masterpiece of the mother nature. She awards it all talents which are partially shared by the others. This creature is light,  agile, flexible, elegant, colorful and so on. The emerald green, bright scarlet, light yellow feathers flick in the sunlight. A huming bird never allows its feathers to be contaminated with dust. It lives in the air, with no moment in touch with ground. It is always moving in the air, from one flower to another. It is as fresh as flowers and as gorgeous as flowers. A huming bird lives on nectars so  it inhabits only in areas of perennial booming. lmao: Among all living beings, the one with the most elegant figure and the most splendid color is no other than the humming-bird. No artificial jewels or metals can compare with this natural beauty. Based the size, the humming bird is categorized by nature as the smallest bird, a true “tiniest wonder”. The humming-bird is a masterpiece of the Nature, who generously gives it all the talents of which other birds can only share a part. This little darling has all the best qualities such as being light, swift, flexible and elegant as well as splendid in color. The jade green, bright red, fresh yellow feathers glitter with light. The humming-bird never gets its feathers dusted. Living in the sky, it never touches the lawn. It is always flying in the air, from one bed of flower to another. It is as fresh and glorious as the flowers. The bees live on the honey while the humming-bird lives with the flowers. 同學小薇 : Hummingbird Out of all living creatures, hummingbird is considered the most beautiful and colorful. No man-made precious gems and metals are comparable with its beauty. It is the smallest in size hence considered the smallest treasure. Generously given all the talents, hummingbirds are considered the masterpiece of Mother Nature. The little darling obtains all the advantages such as light, agility, flexibility, elegance as well as the colorful feathers. The green, red and yellow colored feathers shine as hummingbirds always live in the sky without touching the dust and grass. They always fly, from flower to flower. Bright and fresh as flowers, the hummingbirds live on nectar so they are only living in the areas where of flowers blossom all the time. beautifulwind: Among all of the living creatures, the humming bird is the one which is most graceful in shape and bright in color. All kinds of precious stones refined by art processing are uncomparable to this natural treasure. The nature lists it as the smallest one according to the size of birds, so it is the smallest fantastic treasure. This kind of humming-bird is the masterpiece of the nature.  The nature generously assigned all kinds of talent,  which only partially owned by some other birds,  to humming-bird. This litte pet has all of the charactristics such as light, sharp, flexible,elegant and feather brilliant,etc.  The light-geen, red, fresh-yellow colored feathers sparkle brightly. The humming bird has never allowed its feather to be stained with any dirt. It lives in the air, and has  never touched any grass. It always flies in the air from one cluster of  flowers to another. It is as fresh as flowers,  and as brilliant as flowers. The humming-bird makes a living with honey, and  it only lives in  zones with flowers in all seasons. jennea: Among all creatures, Hummingbird is the smallest in size and the most vivid in color. The artificially processed precious stones and metals can never compete with the beauty of this treasure made by nature. As nature’s smallest bird in size, Hummingbird really is the “smallest gem, ” a true masterpiece of nature. While other birds can only have some, Hummingbird is given all kinds of gifts by nature generously. This little darling is light, swift, nimble, graceful and has magnificent feathers, which sparkle with emerald green, bright red and tender yellow colors. Hummingbird never lets its feathers gather any dust because it lives in the sky and never touches the grass. It always flies in the air,  from blossom to blossom, as fresh and colorful as flowers. It lives by nectar of flowers, and only appears in areas where flowers bloom in all seasons. EnLearner: The Humming-bird Of all the species, it's the humming-bird that has the most beautiful figure and is the vividest in color.  No artificially-crafted precious stone or metal are comparable with this precious treasure of the mother nature.  The mother nature categories the humming-bird as the smallest bird, and it really is "the smallest wonderful treasure".  The little humming-bird is a masterpiece of the mother nature.  The mother nature generously grants all the talents to the humming-bird while other birds can only have some them.  This little treasure is light, agile, flexiable and elegant,  and its feathers are vivid in color.  Its green, bright red and yellow feathers are shining.    The humming-bird never let its features touch the dust, livifng in the air and always staying away from turf.  It always flies in the air, from flowers to flowers; and it is not only as fresh as flowers but also as vivid as flowers.  The humming-bird relies on nectar, living only in the areas that are blooming all the seasons. bolang Hummingbird: (translation) Amony all the creatures, hummingbirds have the most graceful shapes and most brightful colors.  Nothing can match the precious nature species, even the various precious stones and mentals processed by technologies.  Nature has classified hummingbird as the smallest bird by the size, which is truly the tiny treasure. Hummingbird is the masterpiece of the nature. Nature gives all of the gifts which only partiall shown in other birds to hummingbird.  It has all the wonderful features like:  light, fast, skillfull, elegent and bright.  It’s bright green, scarlet, yellow feathers shine brightly. Hummingbird does not let any dirt resident in it feathers; it lives in sky, never touches grass. It flies from flowers to flowers, as fresh as flowers, and as colorful as flowers. Hummingbird feeds on flower honey, it onlys lives at the places where flowers bloom all the seasons.

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