THE HUMMING-BIRDS OF THE FOREST. 17 



very numerous. vA Their nests are made of 

 the fibres of plants, and dry mosses and 

 hchens, closely woven together. They are 

 often lined with the beautiful silk-cotton of 

 which I have spoken, and that provides 

 such abundant materials for the birds. 

 The nest is long, and shaped like a purse. 

 There is a Humming-Bird, in South 

 America, that leads almost the life of a 

 moth or a bat. It has two long tail- 

 feathers that cross each other ; and its 

 dress is red and gold and green, and 

 changes colour every moment. 



It chooses the woods by the side of 

 rivers, and dark and lonely places. Very 

 early in the morning the bird comes out 

 of its retreat in search of insects. But no 

 sooner does the sun appear, and his flam- 

 ing rays light up the sky, than the Hum- 

 ming-Bird disappears. It dislikes the 

 glare and heat of the tropical day, and 

 2 



