144 THE SECOND BOOK OF BIRDS 
still before a flower, with the wonderful wings, 
as long as they choose. 
The bill of a hummingbird is much longer 
than his head. It is something like a pair of 
tubes through which he can draw up the sweet 
juices he likes. The tongue is long too, and it 
can be pushed out far beyond the end of the 
bill. It looks like a stiff white thread. 
We have in the Eastern States but one species, 
the rvby-throat, but there are several in Califor- 
nia. 
No bird is more charming than our common 
Rupy-THROATED HummincpirpD. He is most 
often seen flitting about among the flowers. 
But now and then one may catch him sitting 
demurely on a dead twig, dressing his tiny 
feathers. 
This bird is all in green, with a brilliant ruby- 
colored throat, which looks like a gem as he 
darts about. His mate is in green also, but her 
throat is white. 
You would not think this pretty midget could 
be a fighter, but he is. When a hummingbird 
finds a vine full of sweet blossoms, or a bed of 
bright nasturtiums, or any good place to feed in, 
he claims the whole of it for himself. He tries to 
drive away every other hummingbird who comes 
