INTRODUCTION. 



xvii 



great pleasure of seeing the minute living gems themselves appear, 

 looking like two very small bees. The mother bird allowed us 

 to look closely at her in the nest, and to inspect her little nurs- 

 lings, when she was flying about near, without appearing in the 

 least disconcerted or alarmed. I never saw so tame or so bold a 

 little pet. But she did not allow the same liberties to be taken 

 by everybody unchecked. One day as Sir C. was walking in the 

 pretty path besides which the fragile nest was delicately suspended 

 amid sheltered leaves, he paused in order to look at its Lillipu- 

 tian inhabitants. While thus engaged he felt suddenly a sharp 

 light rapping on the crown of his hat, which considerably surprised 

 him. He looked round to ascertain from whence this singular 

 and unexpected attack proceeded, but nothing was to be seen. 

 Almost thinking he must have been mistaken, he continued his 

 survey, when a much sharper and louder rat-tat-tat-tat-tat seemed 

 to demand his intermediate attention, and a little to jeopardize the 

 perfect integrity and preservation of the fabric in question. Again 

 Jle looked round, far from pleased at such extraordinary imperti- 

 nence; when what should he see but the beautiful delicate Humming 

 Bird, with ruffled feathers and fiery eyes, who seemed hj no means 

 inclined to let him off without a further infliction of sharp taps 

 and ad monitory raps from her fairy beak. She looked like a little 

 fury in miniature — a winged Xantippe. 



These pointed attentions apprized him that his company was not 

 desired or acceptable, and much amused at the excessive boldness 

 of the dauntless little owner of the exquisite nest he had been 

 contemplating, Sir C. moved off. anxious not to disturb or irritate 

 further this valiant minute mother, who had displayed such intre- 

 pidity and cool determination. As to V. and me, the darling little 

 pet did not mind us in the least; she allowed us to watch her 

 to our heart's content, during the uninterrupted progress of all 

 her little household and domestic arrangements, and rather appeared 

 to like our society than not, and to have the air of saying, 'Do 

 you think I manage it well, eh?' 



Some time afterwards, at Kingston, at the Date-tree Hotel, we 

 made the acquaintance of another of this charming tribe, which 

 almost regularly every morning used to come and breakfast with us! 

 Thus it was: — Of course our large windows were opened wide as 

 they would go ; a beautiful tree covered with rich brilliant blossoms 

 stood close to the house, (near the graceful date-tree that gives 

 its name to that pleasant hotel;) and the lovely little bird used 

 to come and suck the honey-dew out of those bright flowers that 

 made that tree so splendid, generally, as if socially inclined, and 

 disliking a solitary breakfast, at the identical hour that we were 

 seated at our breakfast- table. The fresh breezes would gently 



