The Ruby-throat, although about two inches in 

 length, exhibits upon some occations the most 

 fearless disposition and pugnatious disposition. 

 It will allow no bird, no matter how large or 

 strong, to approach its nest, and will even attack 

 dogs or larger animals that come near its home. 

 Though of a vengfull and couragous disposition 

 towards animals it is more easily tamed than any 

 other wild bird. I came across one once while 

 collecting insects and caught it with my net. 

 It feigned death at first but soon responded t o 

 gentle stroking and would seem perfectly at ease 

 while perched upon my finger; I tied a silk 



thread to its leg and placed it near some large 

 trumpet flowers, it extracted the nectar from 

 them just as if it was not a captive. i 



The Ruby-throat arrives here about the middle 

 of April and begins to build its nest the first 

 week in May; its nest is not much larger than a 

 walnut shell and is composed only of the softest 

 materials, such as fur, down, and milk-weed seed. 

 It deposits two eggs not larger than peas, and 

 these hatch in about two weeks. 



—5— 



