The Ruby-throat's Caterers 



neighbourhood, and as increased numbers of ruby- 

 throat migrants need to be fed at their blooming 

 season, there is ample opportunity for both rivals to 

 flourish. In the swollen tips of each of the five 

 inverted red and yellow horns of plenty which go 

 to make up a columbine, nectar is secreted. Small 

 bees with their short tongues may well abandon 

 hope of reaching it. Owing to the position of the 

 flower, butterflies, which would have to place them- 

 selves upside down, could scarcely hold by their 

 weak legs while sucking, and their tongues flex 

 readily only when directed downward toward their 

 bodies. Large bumble-bees, to which the shorter 

 spurred blue wild columbine of Europe is perfectly 

 adapted, find our 

 species so difficult 

 to drain that, rather 

 than attempt the 

 task, they too often 

 nip holes in the 

 nectaries, just as 

 they do in the lark- 

 spurs, Dutchman's 

 breeches, squirrel- 

 corn, butter and 

 eggs, jewel weed 

 and other flowers 

 which make dining 

 too difficult for the 

 clever rogues. But 

 when the ruby- 

 throat whirrs up to 

 the columbine, 



33 



Cardinal flower 



