The Birds and Poets 101 



of an American genus of more than a hundred 

 species which ventures beyond the limit of tropical 

 climates. 



George Murray's poem enquires: 



"Com'st thou from forests of Peru, 



Or from Brazil's savannahs, 

 Where flowers of every dazzling hue 

 Flaunt, gorgeous as Sultanas?" 



And this reference to the valiant defense which 

 the female makes of her nest is wholly accurate: 



"They say, when hunters track her nest 

 Where two warm pearls are lying, 

 She boldly fights, though sore distrest 

 And sends the brigands flying." 



Of the many poems inspired by this beautiful 

 and dainty little bird, I quote the following by 

 John Banister Tabb : 



"A flash of harmless lightning, 



A mist of rainbow dyes, 

 The burnished sunbeams brightening, 

 From flower to flower he flies. 



While wakes the nodding blossom, 



But just too late to see 

 What lip hath touched her bosom 

 And drained her nectary." 



