; and it had a curious tuft hanging from
its chin, of a light green at the base, and purple-red towards the
points. The wings and tail were of a purple-brown hue, while the under
part of the tail was of brown-yellow.

High up on the hills he found another beautiful little bird which he
called the "white-booted racket-tail." It possessed muffs round the
legs, and the feathers of its tail were shaped like two racket sticks.
When flying these are in constant motion, waving in the air, opening and
closing in the most beautiful manner, while it darts forward with the
rapidity of an arrow. The colours are chiefly of a bronze-green, with
wings of a purple-brown; while the feet, just appearing below its
milk-white ruffs, are yellow.

However, I have not time to describe one-half of the humming-birds or
others of the feathered tribe which the doctor exhibited. I had often
seen them flying about, but had never taken the pains to examine the
peculiarities of each. The doctor remarked that many of them were found
at an elevation of ten thousand feet above the sea, and others still
higher; often on the sides of Chimborazo and Pichincha.

I after this took more particular notice of the peculiarities of the
humming-birds in different districts, and thus discovered how greatly
they vary according to their localities. It seems a wonder how such
defenceless little creatures can exist, surrounded as they must be by
numerous foes. They escape in the daytime by the rapidity of their
flight; and at night from their small size, and the care they take to
guard their nests (many of which are built hanging to the ends of
boughs, down which even the active monkeys cannot climb). Others,
again, live high up the mountains, in spots to which neither monkeys nor
insects find their way.

About a week had passed from the discovery of Gab's supposed treachery,
during which time we had felt some anxiety lest an enemy should really
intend to pay us a visit; but at last, as no further information reached
us, our fears began to subside. I followed the advice I had received
from General Bermudez, and endeavoured, as far as I was able, to improve
myself in horsemanship, and in the use of the lance and carbine, by
firing at a mark as I rode at full speed. As I improved, the desire of
practically employing my accomplishments against the enemies of my
country increased, and I looked forward eagerly to a summons from the
general. I had been one day