Chronicles of a Hummingbird Family 



By MINETTE SHERMAN, Glendale, Cal. 



May 9, 1916. — My home is one of those vine-covered, flower-surrounded 

 bungalows so prevalent in southern California. Enclosing the garden in the 

 rear is a latticework fence over which roses and honeysuckle climb in wild 

 confusion. Within are flowers, bees, and sunshine, and here dainty feathered 

 people gather to eat of the crumbs and grain that we scatter. 



This morning, when standing beneath a small pepper tree in the garden 

 a tiny Hummingbird perched just 2 feet above my head. I noticed several 

 long silken cobwebs stretched about the limb. I watched her come and go the 

 rest of the day and knew that a nest was in progress. 



At night the children and their father were told of our good fortune, and 

 all were delighted. 



May ID. — Early this morning before my sleeping world of people were 

 awake, while the morning was still misty and heavy with earthy odors, I 

 looked for the embryo nest and beheld it fast assuming proportions. As I 

 started to leave, the little Hummingbird darted past with a tiny bit of down 

 which she placed in the nest after which she sat upon it, squirming and shap- 

 ing the inside with her body. The nest consists of gray cobwebs and fluffs 

 from cat-tails, with occasional bits of lichen or tiny flecks of bark. 



May II. — How can I begin with today's happenings! In the first place the 

 nest must be about half made. 



While I was looking in it, she came with a long silken thread — some spider's 

 web, no doubt — but upon seeing me so close, flew to a near by wire. In an 

 instant another came, the male, and flew in violent circles about her. Over the 

 garden fence she darted, poising herself in the air. The male flashed after her 

 and with lightining-Hke rapidity whizzed back and forth before her "like a 

 bronze pendulum." 



I find this to be the Costa Hummingbird, one of the six species that nest 

 within the borders of California. 



This afternoon I went out to see how the work was progressing, when a rush 

 of wings announced another bird. This proved to be an English Sparrow. Mrs. 

 Hummer immediately flew at the intruder, chasing her about in the tree quite 

 merrily until the Sparrow became angry and turned upon her. Clinging quietly 

 to a limb, she opened her bill and said as plainly as possible, "Ah, is it your 

 tree, Mrs. Hummer! Ha! ha! I must go away! You are mistaken, my dear 

 friend, I shall not depart until I am ready." Mrs. Hummer observing that the 

 Sparrow no longer feared her, went on with her work while the Sparrow flew 

 away. I passed into the house, chuckling over the encounter and admiring the 

 bravery of the little sprite in attempting to drive away the larger bird. 



In about ten minutes I came out again and glancing up into the tree saw 

 what I supposed was Madame at work again. But upon looking more care- 



(200) 



