Plate XXV. 



Fig.l. TROGHILUS GOLUBRIS~Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. 



There is a belief among those who give little attention to ornithology, that there are several species 

 of Huinniingbirds in the state. This error has probably arisen from the different coloration of the male 

 from the female, and also from the various iridescent hues produced by change of position and light. 

 As a matter of fact, there has never been a Hummingbird seen in Ohio except T. cohibris. This species, 

 which is the smallest of any of our birds, arrives the third week in April, and remains until about the 

 same week in September. During their stay each pair, as a rule, raises but one brood. The nest is 

 built the latter part of May, or early in June, according as the season is advanced or backward. 



LOCALITY: 



In the country, the nest is usually built in the woods, upon a tree, bush, or vine. Among the trees there 

 seems to be no partiality shown. The wild trumpet-vine is a favorite place. In towns and about farm- 

 houses, orchard- trees are the most frequently selected sites. Without regard for the configuration of 

 surface or the condition of the soil, they build both in town and country in the vicinity of a suitable 

 food-supply. As the flowers among which they feed are numerous, and often grow spontaneously in un- 

 looked-for or out-of-the-way places, the location of the nest becomes a matter of considerable latitude. 



POSITIO:^ : 



Generally the nest is saddled upon a small branch — inclined at an angle of 45°, or less, from a hori- 

 zontal plane — of a tree, bush, or vine, from five to forty feet above the ground, in such position that one 

 or more small twigs increase the base upon which it rests, or support it at the side. The nest is said 

 to have been found fastened to the trunk of a tree, and also upon a weed stalk. 



MATERIALS : 



Externally the nest is always covered more or less with lichens of various shades. Some nests are 

 entirely and uniformly covered with these little scaly plants, arranged like so many small shingles or 

 tiles. The lining is composed of plant-down of different kinds having a white or yellowish ajDpearance. 

 This down is probably collected from willow blossoms and from the leaves of some of the forest trees. 

 Between the lining and the external covering fine vegetable shreds and fibres are at times found; but 

 generally the same material which constitutes the lining makes up the bulk of the superstructure and 

 foundation. In one nest, before me, the plant-down is three-fourths of an inch in thickness through 

 the bottom; at the rim it is not more than one-sixteenth of an inch. The lichen covering is attached 

 directly to this by means of web. There are no other materials in the structure. Some writers have 

 stated that the lichens are glued on by the saliva of the bird. In some instances this may be the case; 

 but in all nests which I have seen they have been *' glued" by fine web, to the nest and to each other. 

 The nest itself owes its security, to a large extent, to its web attachments to the limb upon which it 



99 



