a flash and, after darting about from blossom to blossom, it 

 completes its search for food in a few seconds and disappears 

 with a suddenness that leaves you wondering if you have really 

 seen anything after all. Sometimes it will enter greenhouses 

 and rooms where flowers are blooming in quest of food. If 

 captured, it may be tamed in a day, but it does not live long 

 when caged. 



The nest of this little bird is difficult to find. It is no 

 larger than a walnut and, as it is covered with lichens or tree 

 moss to hide it from prying eyes, great care is required to 

 discover it. The nesting season is June and July, and the period 

 of incubation but ten days. The care of the young falls upon 

 the mother. The feeding is done by regurgitation, the method 

 by which Canary Birds and Doves feed their young. 



These tiny creatures have no fear of other birds. They 

 are regular duelists and fiercely attack- and drive away from 

 the neighborhood of their nest Sparrows, Yellow Birds and 

 even Kingbirds. Indeed they seem to love to fight for the sake 

 of fighting, often picking a quarrel without occasion. The 

 smallest of other birds are giants in comparison with Hum- 

 mingbirds, yet the bravest of them dread the lightning-like 

 thrusts of the Ruby-throats and fly rapidly away when pursued 

 by them. 



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