Familiar Studies of Wild Birds 



placed near the nest, hovering around to ob- 

 serve it from every angle. Apparently the 

 hummer has a bump of curiosity, for when you 

 meet one, it usually spends some time osten- 

 sibly seeking honey from the flowers nearest 

 you, while actually it is regarding you very 

 attentively. They have no song, but their 

 peeping notes are very expressive, being now 

 low and contented as when searching the 

 flowers, or again louder and complaining, 

 when they are intruded on. Occasionally a 

 hummer takes a perch on the tiptop of a tree, 

 sitting there with the majesty of a king. Ap- 

 parently they are not molested by other birds, 

 doubtless for the good reason that they are 

 courageous little fighters. I have seen a hum- 

 mer chase a bird as large as a woodthrush 

 in a way to leave no doubt of the former's 

 supremacy. 



28 



