BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 341 



a week old, which the parents fed in his presence without fear. 

 The eggs are white, marked with brownish red spots at the 

 larger end. 



The Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, makes its appear- 

 ance at the approach of winter, not coming from other regions, 

 but only from the forest, where it passes the milder season. 

 Its bill is not powerful, but it has the advantage of a rigid tail, 

 on which it rests while examining the bark of trees. Insects 

 are its chief dependence, though it sometimes eats the seeds of 

 the pine. With us it is not a common bird, nor is it known to 

 breed in our State. 



The Humming Bird, Trochilus colubris, is a beautiful little 

 visiter, that generally makes its appearance with the earliest 

 blossoms ; and almost always in considerable numbers, though 

 sometimes cold and wet seasons destroy many of the young. 

 Of man it is very fearless, being often seen on flowering vines 

 that climb over windows, and sometimes taking courage to en- 

 ter apartments in which flowers are to be found. Its bill is 

 long, and the tongue capable of extension. The bill is insert- 

 ed into the urns of flowers, and then, darting out its glutinous 

 tongue, it draws forth the insect from its fragrant home. After 

 feeding, the bird settles on a bough and dresses its feathers, 

 without caring who observes its motions. It is a mistake to 

 suppose that the honey of flowers is its principal support ; it is 

 rather its luxury than its means of subsistence ; without a sup- 

 ply of insects, it will perish, as those have found who have en- 

 deavored to keep it on honey and sugar. This delicate little 

 bird is easily reconciled to confinement, but it is so very sensi- 

 tive to cold, that a northern winter will destroy it, however 

 carefully it is guarded. 



The nest of the humming bird is very ingeniously construct- 

 ed. It is generally placed on the large horizontal branch of an 

 apple tree, and covered with moss so as to resemble the place 

 where a limb has been taken off and a circle of bark has risen 

 round the spot. As the female is green, birds of prey might 



