2^0 NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, ming-bird fits on four eggs ; which, for my part, I never 

 faw or heard of during my refidence in Guiana. 



In the annexed plate I have endeavoured to reprefent 

 them and their httle habitation in natural fize ; though 

 I found it impoffible to make the drawing more perfect, 

 their motion upon the wing being fo very quick, that the 

 feathers are hardly perceptible; and this motion occa- 

 fions that humming noife, from which this delicate little 

 creature derives its name. 



Here were alfo immenfe flocks of monkies : I have feen 

 above two hundred of them in a field of fugar-canes, 

 where they make great devaftation. Thefe wary animals 

 place fentinels all round the field to give the alarm ; and I 

 myfelf have been a witnefs with what fagacity and fide^ 

 lity they perform this duty, when the whole company 

 hop into the foreft, each with his plunder in his paw. 



Swimming was another of my favourite amufements, 

 which contributed to make me more healthy, and ftronger 

 than moll of my companions; as it is beautifully expreffed 

 hy the author of the Seajons : — 



" This is the pureft exercife of health, 

 " The kind refrefher of the fummer heats: 



" Hence the limbs 



** Knit into force, and the fame Roman arm 

 ** That rofe viftorious o'er the conquer'd earth, 

 " Firft learn'd when tender to fubdue the wave." 



On the 14th I (hot an alligator; but returning from 

 this excurfion in a boat, a packet of letters from Colonel j 



Fourgeoud 



