A HUMMING BIRD’S VISIT. 
73 
can be obtained by a comparison with the figure of a man in 
the cut. It is possible that there are still other boulders of im¬ 
mense size, in this State, that have never been brought to the 
attention of the public. We would be glad to know of them if 
such can be found. 
A Humming Bird’s Visit. 
BY THEODORA RICHARDSON. 
On a recent August morning, while gathering nasturtiums, 
a tiny female humming-bird (Trochilus colubris) came to the 
garden, and seeing a mass so much larger, in one spot, she 
visited nearly every flower in my hand, making, at times, a 
clucking noise of exultation or delight. 
Bradford Torrey tells of the fearlessness of the little creature, 
and also gives us a most interesting description of the process 
of feeding the tiny offspring by regurgitation. 
As the little mother sat on the large wire, which surrounded 
the garden plot, within reaching distance, and preened her much 
bedewed plumage, I noted the pollen covering her long bill, 
and wondered how many flowers she had fertilized, while she 
gathered and stored the insects ready to feed her young. 
Although she has not the brilliant ruby throat of the male, 
yet she is not without beauty, for the irridescence of her bronzy 
back delights the eye, shining in the sunlight with every motion ; 
and her short fuscous tail edged with white gives her such 
a tidy look. 
Once more making the circuit to nearly all the blossoms, she 
took her departure. 
Later in the day, she was seen in front of the house in an 
apple tree, alternately perching on a small twig or flying about 
the rosy apples. 
“ The brain, 
That forages all climes to hue its cells, 
Will not distil the juices it has sucked 
To the sweet substance of pellucid thought, 
Except for him who hath the secret learned 
To mix his blood with sunshine, and to take 
The wind into his pulses.” — James Russell Lowell. 
