112 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 



no more beyond a certain time about a fortnight upon 

 nectar alone, than they can upon air alone, nor do I believe 

 that life could be preserved beyond a few days upon spiders 

 alone. There is another ratb-er curious observation we made, 

 that so long as the white cup was not dry, for so long they 

 did not condescend to notice the thousands of flowers by 

 which they were surrounded. We used to starve them a 

 little sometimes for fun, and then we would have to hide, 

 for they would make such a row ! if we appeared flying 

 close to our faces, pecking gently at our teeth and eyes, 

 lighting on our hair and pecking at it, or on our shoulders 

 pulling at it until, sometimes, it was almost difficult to tell 

 whether it was more amusing or annoying. At last they 

 would go away with evident reluctance to the garden, and 

 tear up about half the flowers they tried, and darting towards 

 iis the moment we appeared again with the magical white 

 cup. Such was the spell it exercised upon them, that when 

 any of our Mends, who came visiting us, desired to see them 

 when they were out and perched among the trees, either of 

 us had only to walk into the yard, and holding up the white 

 cup above our heads, imitate their own chirp to attract their 

 notice, and in an instant one after another would come dip- 

 ping down from above, and cluster round the rim. After a 

 draught, which was always the first thing, they would sit and 

 plume themselves, stopping every now and then to ask one 

 of the strangers with their steady eyes, so like black dia- 

 monds 



" Who are you, pray ? What'll you take ?" 



Their movements were so like lightning, that though they 

 would let you get your hand near enough for them to peck 

 it, yet it was impossible to catch them. They would let us 

 do it sometimes, but never a stranger. 



Now comes the, to me, most interesting portion of this 

 narrative. 



Our charming little family remained with us on these 

 pleasing terms until the middle of September, and then, as 



