14 INTRODUCTORY. 



tree stands quite bare, and without a 

 single leaf; and then its trunk and great 

 branches are dotted all over with seed- 

 pods, j As soon as the pods are ripe they 

 burst, and out comes a quantity of fine 

 silky down, that is carried away by the 

 wind. It cannot be used as cotton, for it 

 will not twist or hold together, and all that 

 can be done with it is to stuff pillows and 

 mattresses. But, as it floats hither and 

 thither, it is a rich harvest for the little 

 Humming-Birds. Hundreds of them may 

 be seen darting about, pursuing the tufts 

 of down, and carrying them away in their 

 bills. "When the nest is made, the mother 

 bird lays two eggs in it, no bigger than 

 peas, and of a snow-white colour, speckled 

 here and there with yellow. 



She and her mate sit upon the nest by 

 turns, and never leave it a moment. At 

 the end of twelve days the two little 



