BIRDS OF INDIANA. 



855 



Although they come tolerably late, they are sometimes destroyed 

 by late cold weather. May 20, 1883, many must have perished from 

 cold. Several dead were brought to me, and others reported. May 

 19, 1895, Messrs. Ulrey and Wallace reported dead found in Wabash 

 County after cold weather (Proc. I. A. S., 1895, p. 152). At Sedan 

 the earliest and latest record of first arrival is April 29, 1891, May 19, 

 1889; at Petersburg, Mich., April 28, 1896, May 22, 1890. The fol- 



Ruby-throated Humming Bird Male, female and nest, slightly reduced. 



lowing record of first arrival, and date it became common, when given 

 in 1897, are presented: Bicknell, April 29, May 12; Edwards, May 4, 

 May 15; Hanover, May 6, May 10; Brookville, May 8, May 9; Eich- 

 mond, May 4, May 17; Anderson; May 12; North Manchester, May 15, 

 May 25; Lafayette, May 16; Waterloo, April 29, May 20. Only one 

 was seen on first date at Waterloo, and no other until May 16. 



Humming Birds frequent certain localities. Some places they may 

 always be found; others, rarely. In late summer they gather in great 

 numbers about certain flowers. One sand bar I know, near Brookville, 

 covered with Bouncing Betty, is a favorite place. They gather there 

 by hundreds in -August and early September. At a certain locality 

 near Lafayette, where wild Touch-me-nots flower profusely, forty or 

 fifty Humming Birds may be found most any evening, or morning, at 

 the same season. Petunias, Gladioli, and Cannas, are visited, too, 

 while earlier in the season the favorite flower is the Trumpet Creeper 

 (Tecoma radicans). The food of this little bird is minute insects, 



