BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. 373 



than dangerous. — About the last week in April the males appear to become cognizant 

 of the fact that the mating season is near at hand, and commence to look about them 

 with the ultimate view of securing a help-meet with whom they may share the labors 

 of the most important period. 



"Between the seventh and tenth of May nest-building has begun in good earnest, 

 but not until they have become fully convinced that the location selected for their domi- 

 cile is all that could be desired, w^hich fact very often requires no ; small amount of 

 argument on the part of males to satisfy their more willful better halves. And if we 

 look carefully among the outermost branches of the lemon, pear, and English walnut 

 trees in the orchard, we may see some evidences of their intentions in the shape of small 

 bits of woven webs and down saddled upon or placed in the forks of a small spray. 

 But this is a very tedious undertaking and one that is apt to exhaust one's patience. 

 A better way to do is to surprise the birds while at work, an occupation that both 

 take part in cheerfully ; besides, they are fearless and confiding little fellows and, should 

 you keep quiet, will give you an opportunity to observe them. By the 10th of May 

 the nest is completed and ready for the eggs, which are deposited by the 14th ; in some 

 cases incubation begins a week earlier. These nests are of a light buff in color, bearing 

 a close resemblance to sponge in their consistency, and are composed almost wholly of 

 the down of a certain willow that grows along the water-courses. This cotton, or 

 catkin down, is woven together with a silky substance resembling the silk of coccoons. 

 Their average measurements are: 1.40 inches, external diameter; .95 inches, internal 

 diameter ; and .50 inches deep, inside measurement. Nests from several localities have a 

 general resemblance to each other. Two from the Sweetwater valley, San Diego County, 

 are of a lighter buff color than those found at Craft's Ranch, San Bernardino County. 



"A nest found at the latter place. May 15, 1883, was built on a lemon tree about 

 five feet from the ground, the measurements being: 1.25 inches, external diameter; 

 .95 inches, internal diameter ; and .45 inches, inside depth. Several dried leaves were inter- 

 woven into the main body of the nest, thus serving as braces to support it more firmly; 

 it was saddled upon a branch. Small bits of leaf-bud scales and remains of insects 

 (Icerya, or cotton-cushion scale) embellish the exterior. Another nest of this bird, found 

 May 19, 1883, near National City, San Diego Co., was situated on one of the lower 

 outer branches of a willow. This nest was built, as were several others of the same kind 

 also, over the dry bed of the Sweetwater river and about seven feet above the sand. 

 In this connection it may be of interest to relate a pleasant experience that happened 

 to the writer while visiting that locality. I had discovered a nest of the Black-chinned 

 Hummingbird and was obliged to cut the branch upon which it was placed, before 

 inspecting its contents owing to its very pecuHar situation. Examination proved that 

 the eggs were so far advanced they would have hatched in a day or two, and what to 

 do with them was a perplexity, as for cabinet display they were beyond redemption, 

 and yet the nest was worthy of preservation. Putting them into the box, which I had 

 brought with me for that purpose, I sauntered along, keeping watch for any additional 

 Hummer's nests. The next nest found contained but one egg. Shortly afterwards 

 another nest of this species, containing two fresh eggs, was discovered upon a willow 

 about three feet from the ground. It was nicely situated, in order that one could easily 



