1S90.] General Notes. 2o7 



very peculiar one, being constructed upon one of the preceding year, 

 and in a very conspicuous situation upon a branch of sycamore, which 

 inclined at an angle of 45 . It was about twelve feet from the ground, on 

 the lowest branch (a dead one), with no foliage whatever to afford con- 

 cealment, and could be readily seen from a distance of sixty to seventy- 

 five feet in any direction. 



The old nest is much the worse for wear, having passed through at 

 least one winter ; the new one was built partly on one edge of this and 

 partly on the adjoining branch, leaving fully one-half of the distorted 

 cavity at the base exposed. The entire external surface of both is cov- 

 ered in the usual way with lichens, although not in any way resembling 

 the smooth, mottled surfaces adjoining. It would seem that the scenes 

 of bygone associations have some permanent attractions, even though 

 comparatively barren to our eyes. 



Perhaps the most interesting facts were brought to light when the 

 young one, about two days old, was examined. Its throat being much 

 distended, I sought the cause by lightly pressing with a dull instrument 

 from the thorax toward the bill, and succeeded in bringing to light, six- 

 teen young spiders of uniform size. These measured about .11 of an 

 inch in length, and with outspread legs covered a circle of .26 of an inch 

 in diameter. Dissection revealed a pultaceous mass of the same in the 

 stomach, but no more liquid than would result during digestion of inserts 

 of this gelatinous character. They were all of the same species, and may 

 have been young found about certain plants in the immediate vicinity. It 

 is surprising that young Hummingbirds of this age could thrive, as iL 

 would seem, entirely upon insects, although the quality be of the finest. 



Although I spent several hours watching this nest, on different occasions, 

 no food was brought at such times, but the actions of the female, as seen 

 through a strong field glass at short range, were decidedly interesting. The 

 approach to the nest was as usually described in about one third of the rec- 

 ords — i. e., directly to a point'over and close to the nest, then dropping light- 

 ly into it. The general method, however, was by a dashing flight to within 

 twelve or fifteen feet, a sudden pause while poised in the air, anxiously 

 looking about her, then one or two feet further, another pause with the 

 same manoeuvres, to be repeated until at last, she dropped into the nest 

 as ordinarily. This entire procedure occupied less than ten seconds. A 

 few times she seemed to fly directly into the nest without any prelimi- 

 naries. 



Just after settling in the nest, she had a habit of occasionally com- 

 pletely turning around in it, one or more times. This was a hitching 

 motion, as if by the use of her feet, meanwhile appearing to re-arrange 

 the material on the outside and as if shaping the interior to her better 

 satisjjaction by this treading motion. At other times, spreading her 

 wings over the nest in a seeming ecstacy of delight, she rather flutter- 

 ingly turned around in it, apparently without regard for its precious 

 contents. 



There seemed to be one never varying position when at rest, that 

 facing the more open part of the grove, the usual direction of approach be- 



