INTRODUCTION. 



xxi 



and wet savannahs of that far-extended region, that the little 

 Green Humming Bird, not much larger than an humble-bee, 

 always makes its nest upon the direct twigs of a small, straggling, 

 ill- thriving bush. There is not one solitary leaf near the dry 



twig to screen the bird from the rising, the noondaj^, or the 

 setting sun. Nevertheless, this little delicate creature sits in its 

 hemispherical nest, exposed to the downward rays of the fierce 

 luminary, without the least apparent inconvenience." 



He argues, from this fact, that Hennie's theory in respect to 

 domed nests, is an erroneous one. Doubtless there is a reason 

 for this peculiarity of structure, although even observant naturalists 

 may be at a loss to understand why the habitation of one bird 

 should be covered with a roof, and that of another left open and 

 exposed, although both may be subjected to the same atmospheric 

 influences; and indeed, an uncovered nest may belong to a bird 

 apparently much more tender and delicate than that which has 

 a covered one. Nature has many riddles for man to find out 

 yet, notwithstanding the number whose meaning he has been 

 enabled, by patient study and investigation, to discover; and it 

 is by such that his curiosity and interest are excited, and he is 

 tempted on in a pursuit of knowledge, as my readers would be 

 tempted if they saw one of these bright-winged Humming Birds 

 fluttering before them, now poising to dart the long forked tongue 

 into the trumpet-shaped blossoms of the Bignonia, now shooting 

 off like an arrow to some other spot. They would wish to know 

 something of the history of so beautiful a creature, to observe 



