160 HUMMING-BIRDS. 



vases, out of which they were wont to sip their 

 daily portion in the flowery fields where they 

 first fluttered their brilliant wings, with other gay 

 creatures of their kind. But, happily, even with 

 the most ingenious contrivances, they cannot 

 long be kept alive when deprived of freedom ; 

 and therefore few are caught for that purpose. 



THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



Bright birds of the sun, how has every hue 

 Of the sky and the rainbow been lavished on you ! 

 What are the robes that a monarch enfold, 

 Compared with your feathers of silver and gold ? 

 Ye are richly arrayed, without toil and care, 

 And the flower-bells furnish your daily fare : 

 A feast every morning before you is spread ; 

 Ye are gloriously clothed, and luxuriously fed. 

 And ye drink the pure nectar, and cry tc-re, 

 As ye fly from the flower to the blossoming tree. 



Swift as an arrow ye hasten along : 

 Now ye are gleaming the lilies among; 

 Now through the gardens of roses you speed ; 

 Now on the lofty magnolias you feed. 

 Gay birds of the sun ! your plumes are as bright, 

 As if you had bathed in his fountain of light. 

 It is lovely indeed your wings to behold, 

 All gleaming and glistening with azure and gold, 

 While ye drink the pure nectar, and cry te-re, 

 As ye fly from the flower to the blossoming tree. 



