A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 23 



bends his bow and fixes his arrow, but he still 

 remains motionless. The time for action has not 

 yet arrived. In an instant, another Bird of Para- 

 dise alights on the tree. Then a third; the birds 

 are gathering fast upon the leafy plateau. They 

 are full of activity, and fly from branch to branch, 

 and wave their plumes until the tree seems alive 

 with them. The effect is wonderful, and cannot 

 be surpassed even in this land of beauty. 



Sometimes, a bird will crouch down as if in 

 frolic, and raise its plumes over its head till they 

 look like fans of shining gold. 



But all the time it is thus in the enjoyment of 

 its life and vigour, an enemy is on the watch. 

 The eye of the native is keenly fixed upon it. 

 Another moment, and an arrow with a blunted 

 point strikes its lovely head or breast. 



The poor bird is stunned, and drops down, its 

 forest joys ended. As it lies helpless on the 

 ground, a boy, who is waiting for the purpose, 

 picks it up and kills it without injuring its plum- 

 age. . 



The blow has come so silently and unexpectedly 



