SONGLESS BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 241 
may be seen buzzing about among the petals, with a sound 
like that of huge bees. In power of flight the Hummer 
surpasses all other birds. The little body, divested of its 
feathers, is no larger than the end of one’s finger, but the 
breast muscles which move the wings are enormous in pro- 
portion to the size of the bird. They form a large part of the 
entire trunk, and their power is such that they can vibrate 
the inch-long feathers of those little wings with such rapidity 
that the human eye can scarcely follow the bird when it is 
moved to rapid flight by fear or passion. 
The Ruby-throat is exceedingly pugnacious in the nesting 
season. The males fight with one another, and, secure in 
their unequalled powers of flight, they attack other and larger 
birds. When the Hummingbird says “Go!” other birds stand © 
not upon the order of their going, but go at once; while the 
little warrior sometimes accelerates their flight, for his sharp 
beak is a weapon not to be despised. Even the Kingbird 
goes when the warlike Hummer comes ; the “ English” Spar- 
row flees in terror ; only the Woodpeckers stand their ground. 
When a person approaches the nest, the sharp squeaking or 
chirping of the angry Hummer is sometimes followed by the 
bird itself, for it has been known to dart at its human visitors. 
It seems to have an aversion for the diurnal sphinx moths, or 
“Hummingbird moths,” as they are called, and frequently 
drives them away from its favorite flowers. Audubon says it 
is sometimes chased by “ bumble” bees, but easily avoids them. 
Miss Florence Merriam, quoting Mrs. Bagg, described a fierce 
battle between Hummers and these large bees, in which the 
combatants on both sides fought until exhausted, tearing to 
pieces, in the mean time, the flowers among which they fought. 
The bee, with its poisoned lance, must be a dangerous antag- 
onist for so small a bird. 
The Hummingbird’s nest, when newly built, with its two 
Later, Mr. Bailey found that the Theronias which he watched invariably stung 
pup that were dead, and contained parasitic pup. Myr. F. H. Mosher has since 
made observations which confirm those of Mr. Bailey. This may either indicate 
that some one is in error, or it may be considered good ground for the hypothesis 
that this Theronia may be at one time or place a primary parasite, and at another 
a secondary parasite. If this is possible, it further complicates the relations be- 
tween the Kingbird and the gipsy moth. 
