HUMMING-BIRD. 
77 
it is seen in great numbers,* the wonder is excited how so feebly 
constructed and delicate a little creature can make its way over 
such extensive regions of lakes and forests, among so many 
enemies, all its superiors in strength and magnitude. But its 
very minuteness, the rapidity of its flight, which almost eludes 
the eye, and that admirable instinct, reason, or whatever else 
it may be called, and daring courage which heaven has implanted 
in its bosom, are its guides and protectors. In these we may 
also perceive the reason, why an all-wise Providence has made 
this little hero an exception to a rule which prevails almost uni- 
versally through nature, viz. that the smallest species of a tribe 
are the most prolific. The Eagle lays one, sometimes two, eggs; 
the Crow five; the Titmouse seven or eight; the small European 
Wren fifteen; the Humming-bird two', and yet this latter is 
abundantly more numerous in America than the Wren is in 
Europe. 
About the twenty-fifth of April the Humming-bird usually 
ari’ives 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 known instances 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. A very complete one is now 
lying before me, and the materials of which it is composed are 
as follow: — 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 well as keeping out 
* Mr. M'Kenzie speaks of seeing a “ beautiful Humming-bird” near the 
head of the Unjigah or Peace river, in lat. 54®; but has not particularized the 
species. 
