A Butcher and a Hummer 



made wholly of plant down and covered on the out- 

 side with bits of that gray moss-like stuff that grows 

 on the bark of the trees and is called lichens. That 

 is what makes that nest look like nothing more 

 than a knot on the branch. Chatterer made a big 

 mistake when he visited this tree. Hummer may 

 be a tiny fellow but he isn't afraid of anybody 

 under the sun. That bill of his is so sharp and he is 

 so quick that few folks ever bother him more than 

 once. Why, there isn't a single member of the 

 Hawk family that Hummer won't attack. There 

 isn't a cowardly feather on him." 



"Does he go very far south for the winter?" 

 asked Peter. "He is such a tiny fellow I don't 

 see how he can stand a very long journey." 



"Huh!" exclaimed Jenny Wren. "Distance 

 doesn't bother Hummer any. You needn't worry 

 about those wings of his. He goes clear down to 

 South America. He has ever so many relatives 

 down there. You ought to see his babies when 

 they first hatch out. They are no bigger than bees. 

 But they certainly do grow fast. Why, they are 

 flying three weeks from the time they hatch. I'm 

 glad I don't have to pump food down the throats of 

 my youngsters the way Mrs. Hummingbird has 

 to down hers." 



Peter looked perplexed. " What do you mean by 

 pumping food down their throats ?" he demanded. 

 [267] 



