INTKODTJCTION. 



XV 



or beast, that the flash and gleam of their rich plumage lights 

 the gloom of the woodland depths. 



"Each rapid movement gives a different dye, 

 Like scales of burnished gold they dazzling show, 

 Now sink to shade— now like a furnace glow," 



Travellers have again and again expressed their admiration at 

 the lively motions and splendid appearance of these "winged gems/' 

 as they have been well called; they have been surprised and de- 

 lighted to observe the little creatures, so happy and joyous amid 

 scenes of sublime and dreary solitude, flitting about amid the 

 magnificent blossoms of the creepers which encircle the trunks of 

 the mighty trees, and trail along the moist ground, and stretch 

 from side to side overhead like thick cords, around which are 

 twined wreaths of green leaves and brightly-tinted blossoms, large 

 pendant bells and velvety tufts, and tall spikes and spreading 

 stars, such as in this country are only seen in hothouses and 

 at fioricultural fetes. Amid these the Humming Bird revels and 

 reigns, like a golden-crowned and jewelled king. 



Strange wild forms are all around him, 

 Savage creatures prowl beneath him; 

 Screaming Paroquets and Lories, 

 Make their homes amid the branches 

 Where he dwells, and large-billed Toucans 

 Sit and watch him, as he glances 

 In and out amid the blossoms; 

 Or above them, motionless, 

 Hovers on his outspread pinions. 

 There at morn the chiming Bell-bird 

 Wakens all the forest echoes; 

 And at night the bats go flitting 

 Through the arches dim and solemn, 

 Startling oft the sleeping monkey; 



Or the Indian, with his hlow-pipe, 

 Spear, and bow, with poisoned arrows, 

 Who by darkness overtaken, 

 Climbs amid the boughs to slumber, 

 Lighted by the gleaming fireflies; 

 While the scaly Armadillo 

 Issues from his sandy burrow; 

 And Mosquitoes buzz around him; 

 And with stealthy tread, the Jaguar 

 Passes slowly on, then crouches 

 Cat-like on the earth, all ready 

 Por the spring upon some object, 

 Dimly seen amid the darkness 

 Ofittie deep primeval forest. 



Such is the home of the Humming Bird amid the forests of 

 Guiana, or other of the South American countries, where the 

 hand of cultivation has done yet but little towards reclaiming the 

 wilderness. In such regions it is that these birds literally swarm; 

 indeed all through the southern parts of the great western continent 

 they abound, as well as in the islands that lie between Florida 

 and the mouth of the Orinoco. In cultivated districts also, they 

 are commoidy found, especially in the gardens, where they become 

 very familiar with man, allowing of a near approach, although it 

 is at all times difficult to catch them, their movements being so 

 quick. They seem to have great confidence in their own powers of 

 flight, for they will frequently hover about one side of a shrub, 

 and extract their food from the blossoms, while the hand of a person 

 may be within a few inches of them, plucking fruit or flowers 

 from the opposite side. 



