HUMMING BIRD. 117 
dom more than ten feet from the ground. The nest is about an inch 
in diameter, and as much in depth. A very complete one is now 
lying before me, and the materials of which it is composed are as 
follows: — The outward coat is formed of small pieces of a species 
of bluish gray lichen that vegetates on old trees and fences, thickly 
glued on with the saliva of the bird, giving firmness and consistency 
to the whole, as well as keeping out moisture. Within this are thick, 
matted layers of the fine wings of certain flying. seeds, closely laid 
together; and, lastly, the downy substance from the great mullein, 
and from the stalks of the common fern, lines the whole. The base 
of the nest is continued round the stem of the branch, to which it 
closely adheres ; and, when viewed from below, appears a mere mossy 
knot or accidental protuberance. The eggs are two, pure white, and of 
equal thickness at both ends. The nest and eggs in the plate were 
copied with great precision, and by actual measurement, from one 
just taken in from the woods. Ona person’s approaching their nest, 
the little proprietors dart around with a humming sound, passing fre- 
quently within a few inches of one’s head; and, should the young be 
newly hatched, the female will resume her place on the nest even 
while you stand within a yard or two of the spot. The precise period 
of incubation I am unable to give; but the young are in the habit, 
a short time before they leave the nest, of thrusting their bills into 
the mouths of their parents, and sucking what they have brought them. 
I never could perceive that’ they carried them any animal food; 
though, from circumstances that will presently be mentioned, I think 
it highly probable they do. AsI have found their nests with egos 
so late as the 12th of July, I do not doubt but that they frequently, 
and perhaps usually, raise two broods in the same season. 
The Humming Bird is extremely fond of tubular flowers, and I 
have often stopped, with pleasure, to observe his manceuvres among 
the blossoms of the trumpet flower. When arrived before a thicket 
of these, that are full blown, he poises, or suspends, himself on wing, 
for the space of two or three seconds, so steadily, that his wings 
become invisible, or only like a mist; and you can plainly distinguish 
the pupil of his eye looking round with great quickness and circum- 
spection; the glossy, golden green of his back, and the fire of his 
throat, dazzling in the sun, form altogether a most interesting appear- 
ance. The position into which his body is usually thrown while in 
the act of thrusting his slender tubular tongue into the flower, to ex- 
tract its, sweets, is exhibited in the figure on the plate. When he 
alights, which is frequently, he always prefers the small, dead twigs of 
a tree or bush, where he dresses and arranges his plumage with great 
dexterity. His only note is a single chirp, not louder than that of a 
small cricket or grasshopper, generally uttered while passing from 
flower to flower, or when engaged in fight with his fellows ; for, when 
two males meet at the same bush or flower, a battle instantly takes 
place; and the combatants ascend in the air, chirping, darting and 
circling around each other, till the eye is no longer able to follow 
them. The conqueror, however, generally returns to the place to 
reap the fruits of his victory. Ihave seen him attack, and for a few 
moments tease the King Bird; and have also seen him, in his turn, 
assaulted by a humble-bee, which he soon put to flight. He is one 
