THE RED-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 89 
of May begins to build its nest. This is generally 
fixed on the upper side of a horizontal branch, not 
among the twigs, but on the body of the branch it- 
self. Yet I have known instances where it was 
attached by the side to an old moss-grown trunk, 
and others where it was fastened on a strong rank 
stalk or weed in the garden; but these cases are 
rare. In the woods it very often chooses a white- 
oak sapling to build on, and in the orchard or garden 
selects a pear-tree for that purpose. The branch 
is seldom more than ten feet from the ground. The 
nest is about an inch in diameter, and as much in 
depth. A very complete one is now lying before 

Nest of the Humming: Bird. 
me, and the materials of which it is composed are 
as follows: The outward coat is formed of small 
pieces of a species of bluish-gray lichen that vege- 
tates on old trees and fences, thickly glued on with 
the saliva of the bird, giving firmness and consist- 
ency to the whole, as “) as keeping out moisture. 
2 
