24 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



grove, I saw the ruby-throat drop down on its nest, like 

 a shining emerald from the clouds ; it did not pause 

 upon the edge of the nest, but dropped immediately 

 upon it. The nest was situated upon an oak twig, and 

 was about the size of a black-walnut, and from where I 

 sat it looked more like an excrescence than a nest. It 



THE HUMMING-BIUD S NEST. 



was situated in the fork of two twigs, and firmly glued 

 at the base to the lower, but was not fastened to the 

 upper twig. 



I waited for the tiny occupant to leave the nest, and 

 then with the aid of a step-ladder had no difficulty in 

 looking into it. I found it contained two white eggs, 

 about as large as medium-sized peas. Sometimes the 

 male would drop upon the nest when the female left. 

 I never disturbed them while they were sitting upon 



