ng, nest-seeking Francois, would have taken
it for a knob on the bark of the tree.

All three now returned to watch the manoeuvres of the birds, that, not
having seen them by the nest, still continued playing among the flowers.
The boys stole as near as possible, keeping behind a large bunch of
hanging vines. Lucien was nearest, and his face was within a few feet
of the little creatures, so that he could observe every motion they
made. He was soon gratified with a sight that determined his "point"
for him. A swarm of small blue-winged flies attracted his attention.
They were among the blossoms, sometimes resting upon them, and sometimes
flitting about from one to another. He saw the birds several times dash
at them with open bills, and pick them from their perch; so the question
was decided--the humming-birds were insect-eaters.

After a while the female flew off to her nest, leaving the male still
among the flowers.

The curiosity of the boys was now satisfied, and they were about to
return to the tent, when Lucien suddenly made a motion, whispering the
others to remain silent. Francois first caught sight of the object
which had caused this behaviour on the part of his brother, and then
Basil saw it. A hideous object it was!

Crouching among the leaves, now crawling sideways, now making short
springs, and then hiding itself, went a fearful-looking creature. It
was about the size of one of the birds, but far different in appearance.
Its body consisted of two pieces, joined about the middle, and covered
all over with a reddish-brown wool or hair, that stood upright like
bristles. It had ten limbs--long, crooked, and covered with hair, like
the body--two curved claw-like antennae or feelers in front, and two
horns projecting behind, so that, but for the sharp fiery eyes of the
creature, it would have been difficult to tell its head from its hinder
part. Its rusty colour, its ill-shaped body, and hairy legs, combined
with the piercing look from its eyes, gave it a most vicious appearance,
such as belongs, less or more, to all of its race--for it was of the
race _aranea_, or spiders.

"The _leaping tarantula_!" whispered Lucien to his brothers. "See," he
continued, "it is after the ruby-throat!"

This was evident. Step by step, and leap after leap, it was approaching
the cluster of blossoms where the humming-bird was at the moment
engaged. Its eyes were bent eagerly upon the latter; and whenever it
flew u