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 



