THE AZURE CEOWN HUMMING-BIRD. 61 



fall and deluge the ground. Then, the 

 forest becomes too damp and cool to be 

 pleasant to the birds. 



And more than that — in the open 

 country an abundant banquet is awaiting 

 them. The trees are loaded with the most 

 tempting fruit. Here are ripe oranges, 

 hanging in profusion, their golden hue 

 displaying itself amid the flowers and blos- 

 soms of the tree. 



Here is the banana, and many more, 

 bending under their rich burden. The 

 maize-fields and the rice-fields are equally 

 tempting ; and such a lure cannot be re- 

 sisted. 



Forth come the birds, from the damp 

 gloomy forest, to the fields, and groves, 

 and uplands. 



Each bird makes for its especial food. 

 The Parrots fall upon the fields of maize ; 

 the Toucans devour the bananas with keen 



