248 THE ADV'ENTURES OF 



nests, fixed in forked branches and covered outside with green 

 and yellow lichens. 



" There 's the bird ! " said Lucien, in a low voice. 



I lifted up the little naturalist ; two hen-birds flew oif, and at 

 the bottom of each nest he could see a couple of eggs of a greenish 

 colour, and about the size of a pea. 



" If you hold me a little closer, papa, I can take the eggs." 



" What would be the good, my boy? Look at them as long as 

 you like, but don't deprive the little birds of what is most dear 

 to them." 



" There 's one bird which has not moved," observed Lucien. 



" Then, no doubt, its little ones are hatched." 



" The whole of its body seems to glitter ; it looks as if it was 

 blue, green, and gold colour. It sees me and is moving. Now 

 it is perched upon the tree ! Only look, papa ! there are two 

 young ones in the bottom of the nest." 



I put Lucien down on the ground, so that he might go to 

 I'Encuerado, who was calling him. The Indian had found a 

 humming-bird's nest, fixed on a branch which he had cut off, 

 and was bringing us. The elegant little structure was a perfect 

 marvel of architectural skill, lined inside with the silky down of 

 some plant. Two young birds, still unfledged and scarcely as 

 big as nuts, opened their beaks as if to ask for food. I directed 

 I'Encuerado to replace the branch on the tree from whence 

 he had cut it, and to fasten it so that it could not fall down. I 

 followed him, to make sure he did it rightly. As soon as we came 

 near the shrub, the mother fluttered all round the Indian, and at 

 last settled down panting on her young brood. 



" You 're a brave bird ! " cried the Indian, " and I ask your 

 pardon for having carried away your house. Don't be afraid, my 

 name is I'Encuerado, and you may safely trust in me. Don't 

 tremble ! I would sooner be hurt myself than cause you the least 

 harm. There, now you are all firmly fixed again, and you may 

 live in peace. Your little ones can tell you that I have not teased 

 them; I only wanted to show them to Chanito. Good-bye, Senor 

 Huitsitgilin / you are a brave bird, and it 's I, I'Encuerado, who 

 tells you so ! " 



