24 The West American Scientist. 



HUMMING BIRDS. 



BY S. ESTLE MILLER. 



In all the field of oology, there is no group of birds so interest- 

 ing to the naturalist as the humming bird. Its size, its gorgeous 

 colors and the abundance of different species, have given this 

 small bird a pre-eminent position among the feathered tribe. The 

 continents and islands of America are its home, and no other 

 country can boast of a single species. It may be found all the 

 way from the Arctic regions, of the chilly north, to Patagonia 

 in the south. They are moie numerous in the West Indies and 

 Central America than in any other part of the continent, and it is 

 here that the most beautiful are to be found. The tiny crest of 

 one of these shines like a sparkling crown ol colored light, while 

 the colors adorning the breast are equally brilliant. 



The species of the humming bird family now number more than 

 three hundred, and through the energy of naturalists, this num- 

 ber is being increased every year. These birds have taken their 

 name from the soft, humming noise made by the rapid motion ol 

 their wings. It is claimed by some that this sound differs in 

 different species, and often to such an extent that an observant 

 ear can detect the species by this noise produced in its flight. 

 One of the very common species here in Ohio is the ruby throat, 

 which takes its name from the feathers that encircle its throat, 

 and shine with a ruby lustre. 



The humming bird arrives herein Ohio about the 5th of May, 

 each year, and usually comes in pairs. They begin their nest- 

 building about the first week in June. Not long ago, when out 

 walking, we found the nest of one of the smallest of these birds. 

 It was about half the size of a hen's egg, and was swung to a 

 twig about the thickness of a knitting-needle. It was made of 

 cotton fibers and the down of certain plants, and was covered 

 with suiall bits of leaves and soft bark. The eggs, two in num- 

 ber, were white, elliptical in shape, and of nearly the same size at 

 each end. 



The naturalist Andubon discovered a very curious habit belong- 

 ing to these birds, and one that he concluded was resorted to in 

 order to conceal the whereabouts of their nest. It was this: 



While watching the nest of one he saw the female bird sudden- 

 ly leave its station on a neighboring limb and shoot perpendic- 

 ularly into the air until it was lost from sight. After a few 

 moments of patient waiting, he had the pleasure of seeing it de- 

 scend and alight directly upon the spot where she had constructed 

 her nest. 



