72 HL'MMIXG-BIRDS. 



pose of smoothing, rubbing to and fro, and sweeping 

 quite round. Each visit to the nest seemed to oc- 

 cupy only a couple of seconds, and her absence from 

 it not more than as many minutes. In a few hours 

 after 1 saw the nest, which had all the appearance of 

 a finished one. I expect to find an egg there to- 

 day/' 



In conclusion to the history of the economy of 

 these birds, as far as our present information reaches, 

 we add their description by a modern poet, a native 

 of one of their own fair isles. 



" Still sparkles here the glory of the west, 

 Shews his crowned head, and bares his jewelled breast, 

 In whose bright plumes the richest colours live, 

 Whose dazzling hues no mimic art can give. 

 The purple amethyst, the emerald's green, 

 Contrasted mingle with the ruby's sheen ; 

 While over all a tissue is put on 

 Of golden gauze, by fairy fingers spun. 

 Small as a beetle, as an eagle brave, 

 In purest ether he delights to lave ; 

 The sweetest flowers alone descends to woo, 

 Rifles their sweets, and lives on honey-dew. 

 So light his kisses, not a leaf is stirred 

 By the bold, happy, amorous Humming-bird ; 

 No disarray, no petal rudely moved, 

 Betravs the flower the collibree has loved." 



