6 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



During the three seasons we have learned much about humming 

 birds. The most outstanding thing is their ill-temper. They spend so 

 much time in fighting it interferes with their eating. As a rule they will 

 not allow another bird to come within fifteen feet. 



They show their anger by sharp little squeaks, spreading their tail 

 feathers, and striking each other in the air. They fly at each other, full 

 speed ahead, and the impact is terrific. The first time I saw the aerial 

 battle when the collision came I rushed out to gather up the remains, and 

 give them Christian burial. No corpse. Then I looked for the desperately 

 wounded. Still nothing doing. Now I know they don't mind a little thing 

 like that. 



Between feedings they perch a great deal. There are three favorite 

 places within a radius of twenty feet from the porch — small bare twigs 

 where they sit and stretch their wings, clean their bills and scratch their 

 necks. A perching humming bird is a serious looking object. When they 

 are perfectly quiet they look as though "Hark, from the tombs a doleful 

 sound" was the most cheerful hymn they knew. 



I have read that the males never feed from bottles — they seldom do, 

 but I have stood within eighteen inches of a ruby-throat eating as though 

 that syrup was pie. 



Usually they feed at bottles the same as at flowers — poised in the air — 

 but often they sit down, fold their wings, and devote themselves to eating 

 with the single mindedness of the small boy. When quiet at the feeders 

 they fold their wings closer than when perching, and for size, they remind 

 me of a big grasshopper. 



The first season I learned to distinguish three birds. After much 

 thought, regardless of sex, and widi due respect to the gentleman in ques- 

 tion, I named them Bathhouse John, Hinky Dink and Fingy Connors. 



Female hummingbirds are not perfect ladies. The males are better 

 mannered. 



As to feeders, we found the imitation of flowers unnecessary. The 

 food is all they care for. We find little holders made of raffia, so the 

 bottles can be slipped out for cleaning, the most convenient. 



We put two teaspoonfuls of sugar into a long-necked bottle, using a 

 small funnel, then pour in one-fourth of a pint of hot water. As soon as 

 dissolved it is ready for use. We pour from the large bottles into the 

 feeders, and our winged family average eating the bottle full a day. 



How many there are I could not say, as I never have been able to 

 count over five birds at a time, and five make the air so full you could 

 vow there were fifty, if you cut loose from cold mathematics. 



BIRDS OF THE SEASON 



The State Ornithologist issues a monthly bulletin of seasonal informa- 

 tion on birds, gleaned from correspondents all over New England, adjacent 

 states and points in eastern Canada. This bulletin is of such length that 

 it is impossible to include it all in a publication of limited space but copious 

 extracts are printed herewith. Bird students interested in receiving the full 

 text direct should address Mr. Edward Howe Forbush, 136 State House, 

 Boston, Mass. 



