376 TRINIDAD. 



another sort of covering, which is as agreeably striking as the 

 foliage itself. 



As to the humming-bird s' nests, they are perfect miniatures ; 

 the frame-work is of dry grass-blades, bound together by spiders' 

 threads; there is but little variation in their configuration — the 

 minuteness of the fabric and the perfection of the workmanship 

 alone calling for deserved admiration. 



There is a bird — the Sinallaxis ruficapilla, only four inches 

 long, that constructs a nest which, if differently shaped, might 

 accommodate a lodger of twenty times its size. It is difficult to 

 conceive how so small a creature can carry the twigs which serve 

 in the construction, they being several lines in diameter; and 

 what is still more striking, these twigs hold together by mere 

 interweaving; no bond unites them, and yet they are twisted 

 into a shape which reminds one of a gourd — there being left 

 lateral and upper opening, which is another marvel in tl 

 astonishing construction. The sinallaxis begins by the fram( 

 work, and the framework alone constitutes the whole nes 

 What an amount of instinct must the bird develop in order 

 attain its object, particularly in laying down and fitting togetl 

 the first pieces of its edifice ! 



Many nests, instead of being laid on the bifurcation of 

 branches, are hung in a manner as light and as frail as the sword 

 of Damocles. Undoubtedly this is a precaution taken with a 

 view to protect the young against snakes, in the same manner 

 as the nests buried in bushes and the dense foliage of trees escape 

 the eye of the birds of prey. I do not, however, understand how 

 birds can protect their nestlings against ants ; for so large is the 

 number of: these insects in our climes, that it would seem as if 

 everything must become their prey. 



Migration. 



All our birds do not make a permanent stay in the island ; 

 and, as regards certain species, there are two very distinct annual 

 migrations. When the wet season has fairly commenced, 

 following alight on our shores : sandpipers, knots, plovers, &c. 

 they are emigrants from South America. These birds swarm 

 the extensive llanos, or plains, which skirt the Orinoco; as sc 

 as these become inundated, their inhabitants are compelled 

 depart elsewhere in search of food. Several species of duel 



