22 A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 



silently towards the tree, you may see a native 

 with his bow and arrow. Look more narrowly, 

 and you will perceive a hut woven of the 

 branches, and quite hidden amongst them. It is 

 so carefully concealed that not even a bird can 

 guess it is there. 



The native climbs the tree and creeps into the 

 bower, for such it may be called. He lies there, 

 silent and motionless, and the forest sights and 

 sounds go on around him. 



Presently a bird alights on the green plateau 

 over his head. I can scarce give you, by mere 

 words, any idea of its surpassing beauty. 



Its head and neck are of a delicate yellow, and 

 have the effect of velvet. Its throat is of an 

 emerald green, and there are deep green plumes 

 across the forehead. 



But the principal ornament by which it is dis- 

 tinguished is a plume of long, delicate feathers of 

 an orange gold colour. By this plume you see at 

 once that you have before you the most lovely in- 

 habitant of the Tropics the great Bird of Para- 

 dise. The native sees the bird as well. He 



