78 THE BIRDS OF 



is more than enough, judging from the 

 manner in which they were packed, 

 would contain thirty-two birds. The 

 number of Swallows, therefore, that 

 roosted in this single tree was 9,000." 



Where do the Swifts spend the winter 

 months? This question has never been 

 solved. From all over the United States 

 Swifts gather around New Orleans in 

 the fall, and suddenly every one is gone. 

 Some say that they burrow in the mud; 

 but no one really knows. They may 

 winter in some cave in an unknown 

 region. 



Ruby-throated Hummingbird 



This (Plate 21, p. 145) is the small- 

 est bird in the Eastern United States. 

 Its eggs are correspondingly small, for 

 they are but half an inch in length and 

 of a pinkish white color. A Humming- 

 bird's nest is usually composed of plant 

 down and lichens fastened together with 



