THE SUN BIRDS. 93 
sun birds, of which the rich and dazzling hues 
seen gleaming in the light, have earned for them 
the graceful and appropriate appellation of 
“atoms of the rainbow.” 
“ Kthereal, gay, and sprightly in their motions, 
flitting briskly from flower to flower, they assume 
a thousand lovely and agreeable attitudes. As 
the sunbeams glitter on their bodies, they sparkle 
like so many precious stones, and exhibit as 
they turn a variety of bright and iridescent 
hues. Some are emerald-green, some vivid vio- 
let, and others yellow with crimson wing.”* 
But it is to the gorgeous vegetation of the east 
that these matchlessly attired songsters lend their 
brilliance, where, lingering midst the rich blos- 
soms, they gleam, outrivalling the flowers dyed 
in crimson, violet, or gold. 
* Adams in Belcher, Voyage XI. 
