THE HILL-STAR HUMMING-BIRD. 29 



temperature in the neighbourhood is in- 

 tensely cold. 



Yet I have brought you here to behold 

 the spot where a Humming-Bird chooses 

 to dwell ! He has his name from the 

 mountain, and is called the Chimborazian 

 Hill-Star. 



A star of beauty indeed he is ! His 

 costume is maofnificent. The head and 

 throat are violet, and there is a ring of 

 shining green round the neck. The white 

 of the under part of his body contrasts 

 with the brilliant colours that adorn him. 

 His bill is black as jet. 



This star-like creature haunts the grand 

 mountain of Chimborazo, and ascends 

 nearly to the line where snow commences. 



Here grows the gray lichen, the last 

 of the plants, lingering on the verge of 

 eternal snow. Lower down are stunted 

 bushes and meadows of saxifrage ; and 



