THE FOREST. 13 



While he remains in this leafy home, the poor 

 monkeys form his chief supply of food. They flee 

 before him with shrill screams, and use all their 

 nimbleness to get out of his way. 



The wall of forest presents a wonderful spectacle. 

 Often it is gloomy and dark, and the trees are of 

 a uniform colour. But here and there a mighty 

 tree has pushed its way up through the mass, as 

 if resolved to get more light and air. Its splendid 

 crown of flowers, red, white, or yellow, towers 

 aloft. 



Here are the palms in full magnificence 

 crowned in the season with beauty. And, now 

 and then, the scene is like fairyland. 



Brilliant blossoms of white and scarlet over- 

 hang the water, and flowering creepers hang 

 around the trees, and droop from the branches 

 like festoons. Here, in the more open spots 

 where the wall of forest recedes, are found the 

 Beautiful Birds we are about to describe. It is 

 their home and dwelling. 



Flocks of Parrots glisten in the sun, clad in 

 glowing scarlet, or green, or gold. Humming- 



