CYPSEiiiDai. BIRDS. TEOOHrLiDai. 
clviii 
while flying in the air. 'I’he entrance to tliis nest is 
from below, the eggs being laid on a sort of shelf 
near the top. A curious nest is constructed by a 
Brazil species. It is tube-shaped somewhat like 
the latter, suspended to a branch, and covered with 
feathers on the outside. There is no shelf for tlie 
eggs, and it is believed that they are cemented 
against the sides of the tube, and brooded on by 
the bird while in an upright position. 
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT {Panyptila melano- 
leuca). — This is a new species, discovered by Dr. 
Kennerley in New Mexico, in 1854. In its flight 
and habits it closely resembles the Common Chim- 
ney Swallow of the east. It inhabits the Western 
'I'erritories and the Southern Rocky Mountains to 
Guatemala. 
BLACK SWIFT [PfephcBcetes niger'). — -'I'liis is a 
southern and western bird. Dr. Gundlach saw them 
in Cuba, and, among other things, states that when 
one of these birds flies in ciiase of another, it emits 
a soft, continued note, not unlike a song. 
CHIMNEY SWALLOW {Ghmtura pelagica).—'V\\\a 
is the most familiar form of the family in America. 
It has a wide range, extending from the Atlantic to 
the Fiftieth Parallel. It differs from the European 
Swift in its habits. While the latter is shy, and 
builds in caves or deserted habitations, our bird 
seeks the abode of man, and seems to choose the 
chimneys of inhabited dwellings preferably. The 
Chimney Swallow is seen to be more active at twi- 
light, finding, probably, its proper food in the insects 
that are abroad at that time of the day. The nest 
is one of the most interesting of all like structures. 
“ It is composed of small twigs of nearly uniform 
size, wrought and interwoven into a neat and semi- 
circular basket. In selecting the twigs with which 
they are to construct their nests, the Swifts break 
from the tree the ends of living branches, which they 
gather with great skill and adroitness while on the 
wing. Sweeping upon the coveted twig somewhat 
as a Hawk rushes on its prey, it divides it at the 
desired place, and bears it off to its nest. Bach 
one of these twigs is strongly fastened to its fellows 
by an adhesive saliva secreted by the bird, and by 
the same cement the vvhole structure is made to ad- 
here to the side of the chimney in which it is built. 
'I’his saliva, as it dries, hardens into a tough, glue- 
like substance, as firm even as the twigs it unites. 
In separating nests from the sides of chimneys, 
I have known portions of the brick to which it 
was fastened part sooner than the cement. When 
moistened, however, by long-continued rains, the 
weight of their contents will sometimes cause these 
nests to part, and the whole is precipitated to the 
bottom. 'I’lie young birds cling very tenaciously to 
the sides of the chimney, with their bills and claws. 
They not only are often able, in these accidents, to 
save themselves from falling, but even at a very early 
age can cling to the sides of the chimneys with their 
bills, and work their way to the top. fl’hey always 
leave their nest and climb to the upper part of the 
chimney several days before they can fly, and are 
there fed by their parents. In New England the 
Chimney Swallow raises but one brood in a season. 
In Pennsylvania it is said to have two.” — North 
American Birds. 
OREGON CHIMNEY SWIFT [Ghmtura pelagica ; 
var. rauxi). — This species is much like the preced- 
ing, but is considerably smaller. 'I'he wing is nearly 
an inch shorter, and the tarsus and middle toe are 
longer. Some differences are noticeable, also, in the 
color of the plumage. Its habits are the same. 
It is found on the Pacific Coast, from Puget’s Sound 
to California, and in Guatemala and Yucatan. 
Family— TROCHILIDiE. 
'I’he Humming-Birds. 
'I’he Humming-birds are strictly confined to the 
continent and islands of America, none being found 
in the Old World. 'I’liey are most abundant in Cen- 
tral America and in the tropical portions of South 
America. Single species are occasionally seen quite 
near the Arctic regions, and as far south as Patago- 
nia. 'I’he food of these birds consists largely of in- 
sects, which they capture by inserting the bill among 
the petals of the flowers. One hundred and thirty 
genera are now established. Seven genera are repre- 
sented only in North America, having ten species. 
The habits and manners of the Humming-birds are 
peculiar, differing very markedly from any other kind 
of birds, 'i’heir flight and movements generally re- 
semble those of insects. 'J’liey are so nearly like the 
great nocturnal Sphinxes in their flight, that it is 
difficult to distinguish between them. 'I’he Hum- 
ming-bird is not seen in forests, but loves the sun- 
shine. Some are more in the habit of feeding at 
twilight, but this is probably because the insects 
they are in search of are more abundant at that 
period, 'riiough they feed mostly upon insects, yet 
the nectar of flowers is also a portion of their nour- 
ishment. The pugnacious habits of these little crea- 
tures are well known. 'I'hey attack without hesita- 
tion larger birds, when they come in their way, and 
the large Moths and Sphinxes are driven off and 
beaten by them, in their efforts to secure their food. 
Curiously enough, the Humming-bird has been known 
to attack so large a bird as the Sparrow Hawk, and 
to drive him off — conquer him. 'I'liough not able to 
inflict deadly injury, his ability to flit around his 
enemy with lightning rapidity, enables him to make 
ra[)id thrusts at his eyes, when the Hawk is quite 
ready to retreat, as a Lion would be at the stinging 
of a Gnat. 'The nest of these birds is a marvel of 
beauty. 'I'he eggs are always two in number, and 
pure white — the only difference being in size. 
THE CALLIOPE HUMMING-BIRD {Stelhda calli- 
ope). — 'I’liis is a new species, first brought to the at- 
tention of naturalists by one of the Commissioners of 
the North-western Boundary Survey. It is found in 
the mountains of Washington 'I’erritory, Oregon and 
California, to Northern Mexico. Though generally 
fond of the warm sunshine, and rarely seen excepting 
in summer, the present species, and one other, were 
observed while the snow was yet on the ground in 
patches. 'I’hey were flitting around the flowers of 
