164 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 85 



mingbird on suspending wings was seen searching this bot- 

 tle, not finding syrup in it she flew to the spot ahvays occu- 

 pied by the flower-pot holding" the artificial flowers, when 

 they were in place. Over this vacant spot she hovered an 

 instant before flying away. On a few other June days a bird 

 of this species was present, and on the 17th one was seen 

 drinking, but her steady summer boarding did not begin 

 until July 9. In the sixth spring the species arrived earlier 

 than usual. No bottles were out on May 7 when a Hum- 

 mingbird was seen hovering over the customary place for 

 the artificial flowers. As quickly as possible these flowers 

 were put out, but before they could be filled the bird was 

 thrusting her bill into the tiger-lily. She came to drink on 

 most of the days thereafter until June 9, also June 14, 15 

 and 24, and on July 1 and 2 ; but it was not until July 16 

 that she came for constant drinking. 



These dry and dull details have been given in full because 

 two theories were based on them. That the birds of former 

 years have returned to be fed seems unquestionable from 

 their searching at once flowerless bottle No. 4, and from the 

 other evidences offered. Because the birds came in May and 

 at intervals in June and July, before becoming steady board- 

 ers about the middle of July, seems to indicate that they 

 nested two or three miles away, too far for daily trips after 

 incubation began. The supposition that these nestings were 

 in the woods is founded on the fact that in leaving the birds 

 flew in that direction, also because they were never found 

 about the trees of the four farm-yards that intervene be- 

 tween our place and the woods. That in two summers a 

 mother Ruby-throat returned with her daughter was sug- 

 gested by seeing on several occasions two birds drinking to- 

 gether from one bottle, a phenomenon that needs explanation 

 when we consider the pugnacious disposition usually exhibit- 

 ed by one drinker toward another. 



In further confirmation of the foregoing is the history of 

 the feeding in 1913. Bottles No. 4 and No. 6 were set out 

 on April 30. For two months and a half no Hummingbird 



