62 C. H. Merriam Birds of Connecticut. 



suppose that the birds died there, and that their flesh had been re- 

 moved by decay, or by insects, without deranging the feathers. But 

 in that case what has become of the skeletons? I do not learn that a 

 bone, beak, or a claw, has been found in any part of the whole mass. 

 What then has become of these ? They could hardjy have been re- 

 moved by violent means, without disturbing the feathers. But, if 

 done quietly, what did it ? What insect would devour the bones, and 

 beak, and claws, and not meddle with the quills? Or would the 

 formic, or any other acid, which might be generated within the mass, 

 dissolve the former without affecting the latter ?"* 



Family, TROCHILJD^E. 



132. TrOChiluS COlubris Linne. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 



A common summer resident. Arrives early in May (May 5, 1877), 

 remaining till the middle of October (Oct. 5, 1876; Oct. 16, 1874). 

 They usually breed early in June, but Dr. F. W. Hall informs me 

 that a friend of his found a nest completed, and containing two eggs, 

 as early as May 27th (1877). 



Thomas Morton, in 1632, expressed his astonishment at the dimen- 

 sions and habits of this bird, in the following words : " There is a 

 curious bird to see to, called a hunning bird, no bigger than a 

 great Beetle ; that out of question lives upon the Bee, which he 

 eateth and catcheth amongst Flowers. For it is his custome to fre- 

 quent these places. Flowers hee cannot feed upon by reason of his 

 sharp bill, which is like the poynt of a Spanish needle, but shorte. 

 His fethers have a glasse like silke, and as hee stirres, they show to 

 be of a chaingable coloure : and has bin, and is admired for shape, 

 coloure, and size."f And two years later, William Wood, in his 

 u New England's Prospect" informs us that " The Humbird is one of 

 the wonders of the Countrey, being no bigger than a Hornet, yet 

 hath all the demensions of a Bird, as bill, and wings, with quills, 

 spider-like legges, small clawes : For colour she is as glorious as the 

 Kaine-bow , as she flies, she makes a little humming noise like a 

 Humble-bee : wherefore shee is called the Humbird."]; 



" The Humberd for some Queene's rich Cage more fit, 

 Than in the vacant Wildernesse to sit.":}: 



* Zadock Thompson, Appendix to the History of Vermont, p. 26, 1853. 



f Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5, p. 50. 



New England's Prospect, by William Wood. p. 31, 1634. 



