24 The West American Scientist. 
HUMMING BIRDS. 
BY S. ESTLE MILLER. 
In all the field of oology, there is no group of birds so interest- 
ing to the naturalist as the humming bird. Its size, its gorgeous 
colors and the abundance of different species, have given this 
small bird a pre-eminent position among the feathered tribe. The 
continents and islands of America are its home, and no other 
country can boast of a single species. It may be found all the 
way from the Arctic regions, of the chilly north, to Patagonia 
inthesouth. They are more numerous in the West Indies and 
Central America than in any other part of the continent, and it is 
here that the most beautiful are to be found. The tiny crest of 
one of these shines like a sparkling crown of colored light, while 
the colors adorning the breast are equally brilliant. 
The species of the humming bird tamily now number more than 
three hundred, and through the energy of naturalists, this num- 
ber is being increased every year. These birds have taken their 
name from the soft, humming noise made by the rapid motion of 
their wings. It is claimed by some that this sound differs in 
different species, and often to such an extent that an observant 
ear can detect the species by this noise produced in its flight. 
One of the very common species here in Ohio is the ruby throat, 
which takes its name from the feathers that encircle its throat, 
and shine with a ruby lustre. 
The humming bird arrives herein Ohio about the 5th of May, 
each year, and usually comes in pairs. They begin their nest- 
building about the first week in June. Not long ago, when out 
walking, we found the nest of one of the smallest of these birds. 
It was about half the size of a hen’s egg, and was swung toa 
twig about the thickness of a knitting-needle. It was made of 
cotton fibers and the down of certain plants, and was covered 
with small bits of leaves and soft bark. The eggs, two in num- 
ber, were white, elliptical in shape, and of nearly the same size at 
each end. 
The naturalist Andubon discovered a very curious habit belong- 
ing to these birds, and one that he concluded was resorted to in 
order to conceal the whereabouts of their nest. It was this: 
While watching the nest of one he saw the female bird sudden- 
ly leave its station on a neighboring limb and shoot perpendic- 
ularly into the air until it was lost from sight. After a few 
moments of patient waiting, he had the pleasure of seeing it de- 
scend and alight directly upon the spot where she had constructed 
her nest. 
