It inhabits chimneys or hollow trees, in which it builds nests of twigs glued together 

 with its own saliva. 



Its note is a swallow-like twitter, and it is equally voluble whether upon the wing or 

 in its nest. 



Seemingly rejoicing in its marvelous power of flight, it is never seen to alight except 

 in chimneys, but it feeds its young, captures its insect prey, and even breaks twigs from 

 trees for nest construction while flying. 



RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 

 Trocbihis colubris. 



Above bright metallic green ; beneath light gray ; sides of body 

 greenish ; throat ruby-red ; wings and tail dusky violet, the latter deeply 

 forked ; bill straight, long and dilated at the tip. Length, 3.75 inches. 



Migratory. Arrives early in May, leaves in September. Its nest, which is a tiny 

 affair, is usually placed on the upper side of a limb ; it is made of lichens and is lined 

 with vegetable down. 



