20 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. i. 



boast of American groves is doubtless the colibry, or 

 humming bird , of the brilliance of whose plumage no 

 combination of words, nor tints of the pencil, can con- 

 vey an adequate idea. The consummate green of the 

 emerald, the rich purple of the amethyst, and the vi- 

 vid flame of the ruby, all happily blenclid and envelo- 

 ped beneath a transparent veil of waving gold, are 

 distinguishable in every species, but differently arran- 

 ged and apportioned in each. Nor is the minuteness 

 of its form less the object of admiration, than the lus- 

 tre of its plumage ; the smallest species not exceed- 

 ing the size of a beetle, and appearing the link which 

 connects the bird and insect creation. 



It has been observed, however, that although na- 

 ture is profuse of ornament to the birds of the torrid 

 zone, she has bestowed far greater powers of melody 

 on those of Europe; and the observation is partly true. 

 That prodigality and variety of music which in the ver- 

 nal season enlivens the British groves, is certainly un- 

 known to the shades of the tropical regions yet are 

 not these altogether silent or inharmonious. The note 

 of the mock-bird is deservedly celebrated, while the 

 hum of myriads of busy insects, and the plaintive me- 

 lody of the innumerable variety of doves abounding in 

 these climates, form a concert, which, if it serve not 

 to awaken the fancy, contributes at least to sooth the 

 affections, and, like the murmuring of a rivulet, gives 

 harmony to repose. 



But, resigning to the naturalist the task of minute- 

 ly describing the splendid aerial tribes of these regions. 



