196 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAif BIRDS. 



rearrange and smooth out its plumage, usually beginning with the primaries, 

 which are dexterously passed through its bill by raising and extending the wing- 

 on a level with the head. It is rarely seen entirely at rest for any length of 

 time, and, when not busy preening- its feathers, it darts about from one place to 

 another. Although such a small, tiny creature, it is full of energy, and never 

 seems to tire. During the mating season the male is very devoted to his mate, 

 following- her constantly about, and fiercely attacks any rival that may approach 

 too near her. 



In our Southern States nidification begins usually about the first week in 

 May, occasionally a little earlier or later, according to the season, and corre- 

 spondingly later in the more northern portions of its range. A suitable nesting 

 site having been selected (and this appears to be an easy task), preparations for 

 building are soon begun. During this time the male may frequently be noticed 

 indulging in the pendulum play already described, and both sexes will frequently 

 dart straight up into the air for some 50 feet, and as quickly drop down again 

 in the -vicinity of the chosen nesting site. The nest is generally saddled on a 

 horizontal or a somewhat drooping limb of a tree, about half an inch or a little 

 more in thickness, or it may be placed at the junction of a little fork where one 

 side of the nest is supported by one of the branches, and less often in bushes 

 or vines, vaiying from 6 to 50 feet high, usually from 10 to 20 feet from the 

 ground. Its favorite breeding resorts are second-growth timber along river 

 bluffs, hillsides, the borders of forests, in shade trees along- country roads, orchards, 

 gardens, etc. I believe the different species of oak, where they are found, are 

 preferred for nesting sites to all other trees, while hickory, tulip, poplar, maple, 

 horse-chestnut, beech, sycamore, dogwood, black gum, buckeye, birch, apple, 

 pear, orange, pine, red cedar, and other trees, rose bu.shes, and creeping vines are 

 also more or less used. In the Adirondacks, in New York, I believe birch trees 

 are the favorites. I have seen one of its nests saddled on the top of and between 

 two old pine cones, on a slender, dry limb, which I consider a rather unusual 

 nesting site for this species. 



The nest of our Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most exquisite 

 pieces of bird architecture to be found anywhere. The circular foundation is 

 composed of bits of lichens, mixed with fine vegetable fibers, which are appar- 

 ently firmly glued to the twig on which the nest is saddled, presumably with 

 saliva secreted by the bird for this purpose, and the structure is built upon this, 

 the inner portions of it being composed of soft, downy plant fibers, such as the 

 silky down of different species of willows and poplars, that found on the young 

 and unexpanded leaves of the oaks and various kinds of ferns (Filices), especially 

 that from the young stalks of the common brake (Pteris aqtdlina), the silky 

 down of the milkweed (Asdepias), and similar materials from otlier sources. 

 After these have been well worked together in a sort of vegetable felt, the outer 

 walls of the nest are profusely covered with a coating of bits of lichens obtained 

 from the trunks and limbs of trees in the vicinity, and then are firmly fastened 

 in place with spider webs, giving- the nest the appearance of a small, lichen- 

 covered knot, which for this reason is rather difficult to detect. In nearly every 



