194 THE HUMMING-BIRDS OF THE FOREST. 



plants, and dry mosses and lichens, closely woven 

 together. They are often lined with the beauti- 

 ful silk-cotton of which I have spoken, and that 

 provides such abundant materials for the birds. 

 The nest is long, and shaped like a purse. There 

 is a Humming- Bird, in South America, that leads 

 almost the life of a moth or a bat. It has two 

 long tail-feathers that cross each other ; and its 

 dress is red and gold and green, and changes 

 colour every moment. 



It chooses the woods by the side of rivers, and 

 dark and lonely places. Very early in the morn- 

 ing, the bird comes out of its retreat in search of 

 insects. But no sooner does the sun appear, and 

 his flaming rays light up the sky, than the 

 Humming-Bird disappears. It dislikes the glare 

 and heat of the tropical day, and hides in its cool 

 retreat until the evening. Then it comes out 

 again, and darts hither and thither in search of 

 its prey. But for its brilliant colours, you might 

 take it for a bird of night. 



The nest is built on a twig that overhangs some 

 lonely creek. It is very much like a piece of 



