THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 209 



When it had quite recovered, no further effort 

 was made to detain it, and it flew joyfully to the 

 top of a tree, and, perching on a branch, began to 

 dress its plumage. 



The rays of the sun had restored the bird to 

 life. 



The nest of the Ruby -throated Humming-Bird 

 is the most delicate fabric that ever was seen. The 

 outside is made of the same gray old lichen that 

 coats over the branch where the tiny nest is fixed. 

 The bird works with such skill that it contrives to 

 make the nest look as if it were part of the branch. 

 The atoms of lichen that it uses are gummed 

 together with saliva. The next coating is of some 

 silky down it has picked up ; and the innermost 

 lining of all is of the softest fibres of plants, that 

 make a silken couch for the eggs to lie upon. 



(393) 



