244 USEFUL BIRDS. 
the nectar of flowers. They are fond of sweetened waters 
and the sweet sap of maple trees, yet the greater part of 
their food is probably insects. They are so active in the 
pursuit of insects and feed on such small species that it is 
difficult to observe their fly-catching habits ; but they have 
Fig. 102.— Young Hummingbirds nearly fledged, about two-thirds natural size. 
been detected, as Wilson says, darting by the hour among 
the swarms of little insects that dance in the air on fine 
summer evenings. I have watched individuals hovering 
about the branches of trees and picking off small insects, 
apparently plant lice, or very small spiders. When kept for 
a time in confinement they have shown a liking for such flies 
and gnats as could be found in their limited quarters ; and 
almost invariably when stomachs have been examined they 
have contained small winged insects or spiders, or both. 
Wilson, who opened “ great numbers” of these birds, found 
