RED-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 3S9 



consequence of having been detained by its late 

 brood, at a time when the flowers begin to be de- 

 stroyed by frost, as well as of its being weakened 

 by cold weather, when it cannot execute the 

 movements of its wings with the necessary degree 

 of rapidity to keep it suspended while in the act of 

 sucking the juices of flowers. In such a state of the 

 weather it is observed to fly with less velocity; to 

 perch often; sometimes to rest on the ground, and at 

 length to die. The late broods are often exposed 

 to this fate, and are found dead during the au- 

 tumnal season. 



Monsr. Viellot farther informs us, that having 

 observed these birds often to perch on the dry 

 twigs of trees, and wishing to contemplate them 

 in full sunshine, he inserted several small sticks 

 among the flowers which they frequented, and 

 had thus the pleasure of seeing them, while sitting, 

 dart their tongue into the nearest flowers, in, 

 order to absorb the honey from their bottoms. 

 He adds that this species builds its nest on trees 

 and shrubs, composing it of the brown down of 

 the Sumach, (a -very common tree,) and covers the 

 exterior of it with lichens. One which he pre- 

 served was on a red Cedar, (perhaps the red Ju- 

 niper.) The male brings the materials, which the 

 female arranges. Both sexes sit alternately, and 

 the brood consists of two eggs, of a size propor- 

 tioned to the bird. 



It is probable that the bird described in Dr. 

 Latham's first Supplement under the name of the 

 Patch-Nccked Humming-Bird, and which is said 



