114 THE BELL-BIKD. 



jesty. The Humming-Birds flash, and dart, and 

 sparkle, with all the brilliance and beauty of the 

 Tropics. The deserted spot will be a scene of 

 loveliness and of activity. Among the bevy of 

 beautiful birds now swarming around us, there 

 are some adorned with the utmost splendour, and 

 which we have not yet noticed. They cannot 

 live except under the full heat of the Tropics. 

 The moist, hot parts of the forest are their home ; 

 and here they are seen shining in tints and hues 

 that delight the eye of the traveller. One is 

 dressed in the most vivid scarlet, another in blue 

 and violet, a third wears a costume of varied 

 colours harmoniously blended. They do not asso- 

 ciate in flocks, but you catch sight of each one, 

 apart from his companions, in the foliage of some 

 shadowy tree, or by some creek or stream ; for 

 they delight in the water. Their food is the 

 never-failing fruit of the forest, and their size is 

 that of a small Pigeon. They are called Cotingas. 

 The Cotinga has no song. Among the forest's 

 notes and sounds he is mute ; the gift of music 

 has not been bestowed upon him. But in the early 



