BIRDS OF NEW YORK 



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for the sake of their nectar, but they also feed upon the small insects which 

 are attracted to the flowers by the honey, and also on the small spiders 

 which are found on both the flowers and the foliage of the plant. Tame 

 hummingbirds will live on sugar solution and honey, but will not thrive 

 for any length of time without the addition of insect food. While watching 

 a hummingbird, one is impressed with the ease and rapidity of its flight 

 and especially with its ability to change its course at an instant's warning. 

 When attacking larger birds to drive them away from its nest — and he is 



Ruby-throated hummingbird on nest 



Photo by James H. Miller 



perfectly capable of driving away the largest 'hawks, crows and eagles — he 

 flies at the intruder like a bullet; but just before striking, will back off as 

 rapidly as he advanced so as to put his enemy in absolute confusion. I have 

 often seen a hummingbird fly directly at an object so rapidly that he almost 

 crashed into it, and then just before reaching it back off in perfect unconcern. 

 He is at home flying across wide expanses of open fields or across the surface 

 of the lake. I frequently notice them crossing lakes two or more miles 

 in width without anymore hesitation than going from flower to flower; and 



