XLVII. 

 THE MARVELLOUS HUMMING-BIRD. 



[HE Marvellous Humming-Bird has per- 

 haps no equal in beauty in the world. 

 It is a creature that floats about on wings 

 of azure and emerald. It wears a crown 

 of brilliant blue, and a collar of green encircles the 

 throat. The sides of the breast are a soft white ; 

 and the wonderful tail-feathers that project to a 

 great length are tipped with brown. 



This rare creature was first discovered in Peru, 

 a country of both desert and of verdure, of rich 

 tropical spots and of burning sand. 



This curious region, which presents such differ- 

 ent aspects, lies on the sea-coast, between the 



