248 THE PURPLE-CRESTED HUMMING-BIRD. 



ming-Bird, and is to be seen in the West Indian 

 Islands, as well as in Guiana. 



The forests of Guiana swarm with birds of 

 every hue and tint. Crowds of little creatures, 

 some of them no bigger than a Wren, but clad in 

 brilliant colours, fly about in troops, to seek for 

 insects on the leaves and branches of the trees. 

 These are the Manakins. They have a low sweet 

 note, uttered from time to time as they hop about. 



Then there is a bird like the Mocking-Bird, 

 dressed in black and yellow, that makes all kinds 

 of curious noises. Whatever bird happens to be 

 singing, it will mimic him, and sing almost as 

 well. So that there appears to be a succession of 

 birds. Now you hear the cry of the Toucan, now 

 the hammering of the Woodpecker. If even a 

 dog bark, the sound will be mimicked ! 



In the most secluded part of the forest, a bird 

 lives that is so rare that he is scarcely ever seen. 



He is called the " Cock of the Rock," and 

 wears a very beautiful costume of orange ; and has 

 on his head a great comb or crest, that gives him 

 his name. These birds are said by the Indians to 



