Broad-Tailed Humming Birds 



in nest making. One of the birds observed at 

 work would vanish and reappear with more 

 down, often within three or four seconds. On 

 the outside, the nest is strengthened by the 

 interweaving of small particles of bark. It 

 may be mentioned that one nest was found by 

 following a hummer that was observed col- 

 lecting bark from a dead ash tree. 



Within three days, the female with no help 

 from the male has completed her nest. Either 

 on the third or fourth day after starting to 

 build, she lays the first of her two translucent 

 white eggs which are about the size of a com- 

 mon bean; and begins sitting at once. The 

 following day the second Q^g is laid, and then 

 for fifteen long days, one would suppose ex- 

 ceedingly long to such a restless little mite, 

 she incubates her treasures. It is to be re- 

 marked, however, that she does not remain on 

 the nest as continuously as do many other 

 birds, but leaves frequently during the day to 



23 



