HUMMING-BIRDS OF THE CORDILLERAS. 



forming part of the branch to which it is attached. The 

 interior consists of the silky fibres of the cotton-tree, extremely 

 delicate and soft. The female lays a couple of eggs only, 

 purely white, and about the size of peas. Ten days are 

 required for their hatching, and the birds raise two broods in 



HUMMINCi-BIKDS AND NKST9. 



a season. When first hatched they are not larger than an 

 ordinary-sized fly. Small as is the male humming-bird, he 

 is a brave little fellow, and will courageously fly at the largest 

 bird which approaches his nest ; while, by the rapidity of his 



