48 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



could onty be traced by bis sbining colors. 

 The bird usually spent about ten minutes at 

 a time, in this enterprise, after which he would 

 always alight on a tree near by, and rest him- 

 self awhile." 



There is a little allegory about the hum- 

 ming bird, written by — I know not whom, 

 which conveys some valuable instruction. It 

 will not be difficult for you to get hold of the 

 moral of it, I think : 



A Humming Bird met a Butterfly, and 

 being pleased with the beauty of its person, 

 and the glory of its wings, made an offer of 

 perpetual friendship. " I cannot think of it," 

 was the reply, " as you once spurned me, and 

 called me a crawling dolt." "Impossible!" 

 exclaimed the Humming Bird, " I always 

 entertained the highest respect for such beau- 

 tiful creatures as you." " Perhaps you do 

 now," said the other, " but when you insulted 

 me, I was a caterpillar. So let me give you 

 a piece of advice : never insult the humble, as 

 they may some day become your superiors." 



