The nests are delicate afYairs, and in many cases resemble small sponges, 

 readily assuming their normal form if the edges are pressed together. The inner 

 cup is seldom more than one inch in diameter. The walls are usually composed 

 of the down of willows. This is firmly woven by an unsparing use of spider web. 

 Usually a few small leaves and scales of willow buds are attached to the outer 

 face, evidently to give it stability. 



It has been stated that hummingbirds invariably lay but two eggs in each set. 

 The female Black-chinned Hummingbird seems to be at least one of the excep- 

 tions that prove the rule. Major Bendire says that "nests of this species now 

 and then contain three eggs, all evidently laid by the same female, and such 

 instances do not appear to be especially rare." 



The Black-chinned Hummingbird is like all the other birds of its kind. 

 Always inquisitive, never afraid to combat a foe and always active, the lines of 

 Jones Very are especially applicable to its character: 



Like thoughts that flitted across the mind, 



Leaving no lasting trace behind, 



The humming-bird darts to and fro, 



Comes, vanishes before we know. 



Looking Toward the Light 



By S. D. Stockton 



I asked the robin as he sprang 

 From branch to branch and sweetly sang, 

 What made his breast so round and red. 

 " 'Twas looking toward the sun," he said. 



I asked the violets sweet and blue, 

 Sparkling with the morning dew, 

 Whence came their color. Then, so shy, 

 They answered, "looking toward the sky." 



I saw the roses one by one 



Unfold their petals to the sun, 



I asked what made their tints so bright. 



They answered, "looking toward the light." 



I asked the thrush as his silvery note 

 Came like a song from a siren's throat, 

 What made him sing in the twilight dim. 

 He answered, "looking up to Him." 



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