ri U .AI U INC B 1 11 D. 
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universally tlirough nature, viz., that the smallest species of a tribe are 
the most prolific. The Eagle lays one, sometimes tAVo, eggs ; the Crow 
five ; the Titmouse seven or eight ; the small European Wren fifteen ; 
the Humming-bird t/vo : and yet this latter is abundantly more numer- 
ous in America than the Wren is in Europe- 
About the twenty-fifth of April, the Hummng Bird usually arrives in 
Pennsylvania ; and about the tenth of May begins to build its nest. 
This is generally fixed on the upper side of a horizontal branch, not 
among the twigs, but on the body of the branch itself. Yet I have 
kriown instances where it was attached by the side to an old moss-grown 
trunk ; and others where it was fastened on a strong rank sta.lk, or 
weed, in the garden ; but these cases are rare. In the woods it very 
often chooses a white oak sapling to build on ; and in the orchai'd. or 
garden, selects a pear-tree for that purpose. The branch is seldom 
more than ten feet from the ground. The nest is about an inch in 
diameter, and as much in depth. A very complete one is now lying 
before me, and the materials of Avhich it is composed are as fol- 
lows : — The outward coat is formed of small pieces of a species of 
bluish gray lichen that vegetates on old trees and fences, thickly glued 
■on with the saliva of the bird, giving firmness and consistency to the 
whole, as ay ell as keeping out moisture. Within this are thick matted 
layers of the fine wings of certain flying seeds, closely laid together ; 
and, lastly, the downy substance from the great mullein, and from the 
stalks of the common fern, lines the whole. The hnse of the nest is 
continued round the stem of the branch, to Avhich it closely adheres; 
and, whe]! vieAved from beloAv, appears a mere mossy knot or accidental 
protuberaisce. The eggs are tAvo, pure Avliite and of equal thickness at 
both ends. The nest and eggs in the plate Avere copied with great 
precision and by actual measurement, from one just taken in from the 
Avoods. On a person's approaching their nest, the little proprietors 
dart around Avith a humming sound, passing frecjuently Avithin a few 
inches of one's licad ; and should the young be ncAvly hatched, the 
female Avill resume her place on the nest even Avhile you stand Avithin 
a yard or tAvo of the spot. The precise period of incubation I am 
unable to give ; Init the young are in the habit, a short time before they 
leave the nest, of thrusting their bills into the mouths of their parents, 
and sucking Avhat they have brought them. I never could perceive that 
they carried them any animal food ; though, from circumstances that 
Avill presently he mentioned, I think it highly proltaljle tlicy do. As I 
have found their nests Avith eggs so late as the tAvelfth of July, I do not 
doubt but that they frequently, and perhaps usually, raise two broods 
in the same season. 
The Humming Bird is extremely fond of tubular floAvers, and I have 
Vol. I.— 14 
