594 



Observations on the Humming- Bird. 



is seldom more than 10 ft. from the ground. The outward 

 coat of the nest is formed of small pieces of a species of bluish- 

 grey lichen that vegetates on old trees and fences, thickly 

 glued on with the saliva of the bird, giving firmness and con- 

 sistency to the whole, as well as keeping out moisture. Within 

 this are thick matted layers of the fine wings of certain flying 

 seeds, closely laid together ; and, lastly, the downy substance 

 from the great mullein, and from the stalks of the common 

 fern, lines the whole. The base of the nest is continued 

 round the stem of the branch, to which it closely adheres; 

 and, when viewed from below, appears a mere mossy knot, or 

 accidental protuberance. The eggs are two, pure white, and 

 of equal thickness at both ends." 



The following extract from a letter by Captain Lyon to 

 a friend in England, dated Gongo Soco, Brazil, March 17. 

 1829, is taken from the Zoological Journal : — 



" It may interest you to have an account of some humming- 

 birds, whose hatching and education I studiously attended, as 

 the nest was made in a little orange bush by the side of a 

 frequented walk in my garden. It was composed of the 

 silky down of a plant, and covered with small flat pieces of 

 yellow lichen. The first egg was laid on January 6.; the 

 second, on the 28th ; and two little creatures like bees made 

 their appearance, on the morning of February 14. As the 

 young increased in size, the mother built her nest higher and 

 higher; so that, from having at first the form of Jig, 70. a, it 

 became ultimately like Jig. 70.5. The old bird sat very close 



during a continuance of the heavy rain, for several days and 

 nights. The young remained blind until February the 28th, 

 and flew on the morning of March 7., without previous prac- 



