100 TENUIROSTRES. 



" The Humming-birds in Jamaica/' says Lady 

 Emmcline Stuart Wortley, "are lovely little creatures, 

 and wonderfully tame and fearless of tlie approach of 

 man. One of these charming feathered jewels had 

 built its delicate nest close to one of the walls of the 

 garden belonging to the house where we were 

 staying. The branch, indeed, of the beautiful little 

 shrub in which the fairy nest was suspended almost 

 intruded into the walk, and, every time we sauntered 

 by, there was much danger of sweeping against this 

 projecting branch, with its precious charge, and 

 doing it some injury, as very little would have de- 

 molished the exquisite fabric. In process of time 

 two lovely little pear-shaped eggs appeared, and, 

 while we were there, we had the great pleasure of 

 seeing the minute living gems themselves disclosed, 

 looking like two very small bees. The mother bird 

 allowed us to look closely at her nest and to inspect 

 her little nurslings, when she was flying about near, 

 without appearing in the least disconcerted or 

 alarmed. I never saw so tame or so bold a little 

 pet. But she did not allow the same liberties to be 

 taken by every one unchecked. One day, as Sir C. 

 was walking in the pretty path beside which the 

 fragile nest was delicately suspended amid sheltering 

 leaves, he paused in order to look at its Lilliputian 

 inhabitants. While thus engaged, he felt a sharp 

 rapping on the crown of his hat, which considerably 

 surprised him. He looked round to ascertain from 

 whence the singular and unexpected attack pro- 

 ceeded, but nothing was to be seen. Almost think- 

 ing he must have been mistaken, he continued his 

 survey, when a much sharper and louder rat-tat-tat- 

 tat-tat seemed to demand his immediate attention, 

 and a little to jeopardize the perfect integrity and 

 preservation of the fabric in question. Again he 

 looked round, far from pleased with such extra- 

 ordinary impertinence, when what should he see but 

 the beautiful, delicate Humming-bird, with ruffled 

 feathers and fiery eyes, who seemed by no means 



