NORTHERN HUMMING-BIRD. 
131 
in Pennsylvania ; and about the 10th of May, begins 
to build its nest. In the Savanna in Georgia, it 
appears from the south about the 23d of March, two 
weeks earlier than it does sixty miles higher up the 
country. 
“ The nest 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 known in- 
stances where it was attached by the side to an old 
moss-grown trunk ; and others where it was fastened 
on a strong rank stalk, 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 orchard 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 ; the outward coat is formed of small pieces 
of a species of bluish-gray lichen, that vegetates on 
old trees and fences, thickly glued over with the saliva 
of the bird, giving firmness and consistency to the 
whole, as well 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 
stalks of the common fern, lines the whole. The base of 
the nest is continued round the stem of the branch, to 
which it closely adheres ; and when viewed from below, 
appears a mere mossy knot, or accidental protuberance. 
The eggs are two, pure white, and of equal thickness 
on both sides. On a person approaching their nest, 
