272 



FRANCIS H. HERRICK 



Figure 15 — Nest and eggs of the ruby-throated hummingbird, attached to twig, 

 seen from above, showing smoothed, felted wall, and fresco of lichens: patches 

 represent bits of a light gray lichen, stippled when attached with dark under 

 side up. Natural size. 



Figure 16 — Sectional view of nest of ruby-throated hummingbird shown in figure 

 15, illustrating symmetry of cup, the incrusting process carried to overarched 

 rim, method of building up the lower side to compensate for incline of twig, 

 and the wafer of saliva (,IV,) by means of which the nest is glued to its sup- 

 port. Natural size. 



essential measurements. It is mainly composed of fine grape 

 bark strippings, and black, rather coarse and unmanageable 

 rootlets; the latter form the inner wall exclusively, and being 

 too springy to mold well, make a ragged rim, over which the 

 scanty fresco of lichens has not been carried; its shallow^ cup is 

 barely deep enough to hold the cream white, spotted eggs, which 



