194 LIFE HISTOEIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



That our Hummingbirds live to some extent on the sap of certain trees is 

 undoubtedly true, but that they could exist for any length of time on such food 

 alone is very questionable, to say the least. They are particularly fond of the sap 

 of the sugar maple, and only slightly less so of that of different species of oak, 

 birch, poplar, sycamore, and willow, as well as of the nectar secreted in the flowers 

 of the lilac, honeysuckle, jasmine, begonia, horse chestnut, and many others 



Mr. E. A. Mcllhenny writes me from Avery, Louisiana: "It is quite a com- 

 mon occurrence here for the Ruby-throated Hummer to get drunk on the nectar 

 of the flowers of the china tree (Melia azedarach). It sometimes imbibes so 

 much of the nectar that it becomes stupefied and falls from the tree, when it 

 can be readily taken in the hand, and offers no resistance. I have also taken 

 them by putting a little brandy and honey in honeysuckle and jasmine blossoms; 

 they readily take this, and become so intoxicated that they are easily caught." 



While stationed at the former cavalry depot at St. Louis, Missouri, in 

 1873-74, I occupied a set of quarters that were completely overrun with large 

 trumpet vines (Tecoma radicans), and when these were in bloom the place fairly 

 swarmed with Ruby -throats. They were exceedingly inquisitive, and often poised 

 themselves before an open window and looked in my rooms full of curiosity, 

 their bright little eyes sparkling like black beads. I have caught several, while 

 busily engaged sipping nectar in these large, showy flowers, by simply placing 

 my hand over them, and while so imprisoned they never moved, and feigned 

 death, but as soon as I opened my hand they were off like a flash. They seem to 

 be especially partial to anything red. 



Mr. Manly Hardy writes: "I was once camping on one of the many islands 

 along the coast of Maine during a dense fog, which had held us prisoners for 

 several days, as it was so thick that we could not find our way. We had been 

 living on lobsters, and lots of their red shells lay near the fire in front of our 

 tent, when suddenly a Hummer came out of the fog and darted down at the 

 shells, moving from one to another, seemingly loath to leave them." 



Mr. W. N. Clute, of Binghamton, New York, writes: "The swamp thistle 

 (Cirsiwm muticwni), which blooms in August, seems to have great attractions for 

 the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I have seen more than a hundred birds 

 about these plants in the course of an hour. Since it has been stated that the 

 bee gets pollen but not honey from the thistle, it would appear that these birds 

 visit these flowers for insects. There is scarcely a flower that contains so many 

 minute insects as a thistle head. Examine one with a lens and it will be found 

 to contain many insects that can hardly be seen with the unaided eye, and if the 

 Ruby-throat eats insects at all, these are the ones it would take; and because 

 the larger ones remained the observer might conclude that none were eaten. 

 The jewel weed (Impatiens) also receives much of their attention, and nowhere 

 do I find these birds so abundant as about these two flowers." 



I could quote considerable more testimony showing that the Hummingbirds 

 live to a great extent on minute spiders and insects, but consider it unnecessary. 

 Hummingbirds are readily tamed and make interesting pets, but do not seem to 



