192 THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 



over, and that her babe is saved. These are the scenes best fitted to enable 

 us to partake of sorrow and joy, and to determine every one who views 

 them to make it his study to contribute to the happiness of others, and to 

 refrain from wantonly or maliciously giving them pain. 



I have seen Humming-birds in Louisiana as early as the 10th of March. 

 Their appearance in that State varies, however, as much as in any other, it 

 being sometimes a fortnight later, or, although rarely, a few days earlier. 

 In the Middle Districts, they seldom arrive before the 15th of April, more 

 usually the beginning of May. I have not been able to assure myself 

 whether they migrate during the day or by night, but am inclined to think 

 the latter the case, as they seem to be busily feeding at all times of the day, 

 which would not be the case had they long flights to perform at that period. 

 They pass through the air in long undulations, raising themselves for some 

 distance at an angle of about 40 degrees, and then falling in a curve; but the 

 smallness of their size precludes the possibility of following them farther 

 than fifty or sixty yards without great difficulty, even with a good glass. A 

 person standing in a garden by the side of a Common Althaea in bloom, will 

 be as surprised to hear the humming of their wings, and then see the birds 

 themselves within a few feet of him, as he will be astonished at the rapidity 

 with which the little creatures rise into the air, and are out of sight and 

 hearing the next moment. They do not alight on the ground, but easily 

 settle on twigs and branches, where they move sidewise in prettily measured 

 steps, frequently opening and closing their wings, pluming, shaking and 

 arranging the whole of their apparel with neatness and activity. They are 

 particularly fond of spreading one wing at a time, and passing each of the 

 quill-feathers through their bill in its whole length, when, if the sun is 

 shining, the wing thus plumed is rendered extremely transparent and light. 

 They leave the twig without the least difficulty in an instant, and appear to 

 be possessed of superior powers of vision, making directly towards a Martin 

 or a Blue-bird when fifty or sixty yards from them, and reaching them 

 before they are aware of their approach. No bird seems to resist their 

 attacks, but they are sometimes chased by the larger kinds of humble-bees, 

 of which they seldom take the least notice, as their superiority of flight is 

 sufficient to enable them to leave these slow moving insects far behind in the 

 short space of a minute. 



The nest of this Humming-bird is of the most delicate nature, the external 

 parts being formed of a light grey lichen found on the branches of trees, or 

 on decayed fence-rails, and so neatly arranged round the whole nest, as well 

 as to some distance from the spot where it is attached, as to seem part of the 

 branch or stem itself. These little pieces of lichen are glued together with 

 the saliva of the bird. The next coating consists of cottony substance, and 



