202 Bird - Lore 



our Hummingbird and what would become of those poor helpless babes? 

 Throughout the day we kept a vigilant outlook about the nest, hoping for the 

 return of the little mother. Giving up in despair, I tried to feed them myself. 

 Preparing some honey and warm water, I tried to force it down their throats, 

 but they shook their heads and would have none of it. Suddenly I heard a whir 

 of little wings, and from over my head flashed their own mother. Words cannot 

 express my relief. 



June 13. — They are now entirely covered with feathers, the green showing 

 faintly on their backs, the wings mottled brown and gray, with three white 

 tail-feathers on each side of the little tail. 



June 18. — Yesterday at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I peered into the 

 nest and found one nearly out. As I watched, it flew into the topmost twig of the 

 tree and from there to the honeysuckle vine. I approached, carefully putting 

 my hand over it, but it clung so tenaciously that I had to tear from the vine the 

 twig upon which it rested. I carried it in my hands to show to the children. 

 When I tried to put it back it held so tightly to my hand that I was afraid I 

 might injure the little claws in pulling it away. Just when I thought I had the 

 fly-a-way one in the nest with his more peaceful brother, off he flew again into 

 the top of the tree. When I retired for the night he was still there. This 

 morning we could not find him. The other one was perched on the edge of the 

 nest, ready for flight. 



June 20. — Yesterday both left the nest. They have become very fluffy and 

 almost as large as their mother but their bills are shorter and the underparts 

 pure white. 



June 21. — The pepper tree is deserted; the nest old and forlorn. What a 

 wonderful experience my acquaintance with these feathered people has been! 

 How I shall miss them from my garden! 



A, 



RUBY-THROATliD HUMMINGBIRD 

 Photographed by A. A. Allen, Ithaca, N. Y. 



