The only species of Hummingbird that we know in the Northeast is the
Ruby-throat. This little whirring jewel comes to us from the South in
very early May and departs by the first of October. It is interesting to
learn that there are at least five hundred known species of Hummingbirds
in the New World. They are found only in North and South America, the
greatest numbers being in South America in Ecuador and Columbia, where
Dr. Frank M. Chapman writes that they inhabit the Andean regions.
Song: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird utters only a little "squeak" and
thus may be said to possess no true song. Mr. F. Schuyler Mathews
has said that this note might possibly mean--"Look out now; don't
attempt to catch me by the tail while my head is buried in this
morning-glory!" The "humming" sound is made by the rapidly beating
wings. Indeed, these wings move so rapidly that they are invisible
as the bird hovers in mid-air while investigating some flower.
Food: The diet of this Hummingbird consists of tiny insects and also of
the nectar of flowers.
Nest: This rare little structure is built upon a horizontal tree limb,
quite far from the ground. It is built of the very softest of
plant down, covered upon the outside with small bits of lichens
and bound to the branch with fibers. This delicate little
composition is most difficult to find. Often it is only discovered
by accident, perched upon its swaying foundation. The two white
eggs, about the size of beans, are incubated and then the two
diminutive birds appear in the silken thimble. The entire family
could be contained in a spoon.
This little midget with throat of red,
That hums through the air like a bee;
Is it a bird or a fairy instead,
That hovers for mortals to see?
Or is it a flower with silvery wing,
Content to fly though it never may sing?
On soft summer days, where the Jewel-weed grows,
This flash from the Tropics may seem,
In its darting and dashing wherever it goes,
To be like the thread of a dream
That journeys as even a dream may do,
To visit the blossoms and taste of the dew.
[Illustration: _The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds--3½ inches_
Male above, female below]
[Illustration: _Common Pigeon_]
[Illustration: _Red Crossbill_]