WESTERN BIRDS Hummingbird 



of these nests which had a few tiny feathers woven into 

 the inside near the rim. 



This diminutive nest is quite likely to be placed on a 

 descending branch, rather than a horizontal one, and 

 when the twig is small, as the nestlings become larger 

 they weigh it down until it becomes a precarious place 

 for baby birds. 



Such a nest I once watched on a lantana bush about 

 three feet from the ground. In its original state it was 

 beautiful but as the birds grew it flattened out until it 

 was a saucer, rather than a cup, and the two occupants 

 had to cling on for dear life. When they were two 

 weeks old they became infested with tiny mites, which, I 

 believe, are responsible for the death of many young 

 Hummingbirds. These little fellows survived, in spite of 

 them, because the good lady in whose yard they were, 

 daily wiped them off their foreheads and bills, and put 

 insect powder on the nest. Ants also attack young Hum- 

 mingbirds and destroy them. 



The mother of these twins had a peculiar nob near 

 the end of her bill which proved to be pollen that had 

 attached itself as she probed into the flowers in the 

 foggy mornings. 



I succeeded in getting several good photographs of this 

 interesting family, one of the mother brooding being a 

 time exposure. Contrary to the ordinary conceptions of 

 these midgets, they are the easiest birds to photograph 

 because they are naturally tame, and trustful of man- 

 kind. 



My camera was placed about eighteen inches from the 

 nest but a long tube attachment enabled me to stand 

 some distance away. However, this would not have been 

 necessary, for these birds when brooding will allow one 

 to stand very near and will remain perfectly motionless 

 for an indefinite time, their eyes riveted upon you. 

 When the eggs hatch, Madam is more suspicious. 



At all times Hummingbirds are inquisitive little things 



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