Gowns, and Robes. 47 



girl in the West Indian island of 

 Tobago, where they swarm, wrote 

 of them : 



"The purple amethyst, theemerald's green 

 They wear, together with the ruby's 



sheen ; 



While over all a tissue is put on 

 Of golden gauze, by fairy fingers spun." 



The description at first hand, as 

 it were is worth more than the 

 rhyme, perhaps ; and it is interesting 

 as proving things about Humming- 

 birds, and also the love of beauty 

 which is deep in the negro race. 



Most of us would rejoice to be 

 able to see with our own eyes the 

 luxuriant glory of the Humming- 

 birds' home. I have read of it 

 until I would fain step on board the 

 next steamer that drops down the 

 river, and start to see it for myself. 

 I have gazed at the flowers, butter- 

 flies, and birds until I fancy I have 

 gained some faint inkling of what 

 the tropics may be. But, ah ! the 



