208 
TROCHILUS COLUBEIS. 
thf 
downy substance from tlie great mullein, and from 
stalks of the common fern, lines the whole. The e 
- nc» 
The I 
of the nest is continued round the stem of the bran 
to which it closely adheres ; and, when viewed 
below, appears a mere rao.ssy knot, or accidental P^| 
tuberance. The eggs arc two, pure white, and of 
thickness at both ends. On a person’s approaem 
their nest, the little proprietors dai't around 
humming sound, passing frequently within a few 
of one’s head ; and, should the young be newly hatch ^ 
the female will resume her place on the nest ct j, 
while you stand within a yard or two of the sp , 
The precise period of incubation I am unable to 
but the young are in the habit, a short time 
they leave the nest, of thrusting their bills into ^ 
mouths of their parents, and sucking what they **"^1 i 
brought them. I never could perceive that they 
them anv anim.al food : thonnh. from circumstances i ,, 
them any anim.al food ; though, from circumstances 
will presently be mentioned, 1 think it highly pro*’‘|^|; 
they do. As I have found their nests with eggs so 
as the 12th of July, I do not doubt hut that they 
quently, and perhaps usually, raise two brood n* 
same season. ^ 
The humming bird is extremely fond of tub''^.^ 
flowers, and I have often stopt, with pleasure, to obs^’ 
his manmuvres among the blossoms of the tm'®L[ 
flower. When arrived before a thicket of these 
are full blown, he poises, or suspends himself on ’* 1 .ji 
for the space of two or three seconds, so steadily; 
his wings become invisible, or only like a mist; 
you can plainly distinguish the pupil of his eye le® 
round Avitli great quickness and circumspection; t,j< 
■ " of a 
glossy golden green of his back, and the lire o» ^ 
‘ ■ *. 1 I; 
throat, dazzling in the sun, form altogether 
interesting appearance. Wlicn he alig-hts, whn'j^ji 
frequently, he always prefers the small dead t'*|j|j 
of a tree, or hush, where he dresses and arrange*^ , 
plumage with great dexterity. His only note '• ( 
single chirp, not louder than that of a small crit 
