The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-16
HABITS or RUNNING BIRDS.
NOT DJFFICULT TO CATCH AND
EASILY tanned.
Courag eous and Pugnaeious and Bold In DE.
fence OF Their Nests and Young-Moat
Elegant In Form and splendid In Coier
South American Names for Them.

Elegant In Form and SpieDdiu IN Coior
South American Names for Them
With It's rich subtropical climate and
It's wonderful profs sion Of flowers 1t IL
not to be wondered at that California has
great numbers Of humming birds. These
flashing little feethered gems are wonder
fully brilliant Of plumage-scarceiy sur
passed by those Of Central and South Amer
lea and other tropical countries.
These birds, says j. Mayne baltimore
In the Loo An0slss Times. are scattered
all over tho Western Hemisphere-in all
parts Of the United States. not only In the
South, but fer north. where 1t is absolutely
cold. Even In countries to the north OF
Canada they may be seen flying about
their brilliant piumsge strangely contrast
ing with the snowy aspect OF the scene
Omithologists assert that these birds are
Of migratory nature. They generally re-
tire from the northern to the southern part
of the United States about the latter part
Of September, passing into Florida about
the beginning Of November. In California
and also In TERRA del Fue ego, which occupy
about the same relative positions north
and south, some species remain through
out the entire year.
OF course, the California hummer may
rsvel almost uninterruptedly. the year
round, In q wealth OF floral sweetn ess and
glory.
Did YOU ever hold live California hum
ming bird in your hand1 ! have been
fortunate enough to hold several OF these
wee. brilliant creatures. l have peeped
into several OF the downy, Queen NAB,
eossame rlike homes. Really wonderfully
oonstru cted tiny affairsl
Two of the nests contained eggs-just
two each: two contained young birds
beelike fledglings The eggs were smaller
than ordinary garden peas-perfectly egg
shaped, OF q gray, pearly tint.
Humming birds the world over are
hold. daring, courageous and pu gnacious
little fellows, despite their gandy, toppish
ways Those OF California are no excep-
ton to the rule. The general impression
is they are very timid and wary. But the
reverse 10 the case. ..,
One hot afternoon in June / was sitting
in a garden reading. A few yards away
stood a large bed OF brilliant carnations;
is thsr do t. sn oy e p %nlGn s
Suddenly l heard loud hum near at
hand. Looking toward the carnations
1 saw two hummers lowering around the
lowers. watched their movements
closely for several minutes with great
| interest.
Presently 1 observed that one Of the
| little creatures appear red to be entangIed
its tongue, or long. needlelike beak. was
eau chit In some manner In the stamens OF a
large pink. Round and round the little
brt he could not lberate himself
Instantly | dropped my book and ran
over. The other bird, the little female
darted away like shot. / very softly
teo the tiny prisoner IN IN N.Y. hand dnu .hea
more held the futtering. bling Greet
ure in my hand only wish ! could de-
scribe the beauty and brilliancy OF the
pumage. Silk, velvet, clearing, fash
Ing gems. and the delicate iI, ,, 'ra de en-
words. Finally released the captive
In a fash he was out Of sight
One good fright was enough. Neither
bird ever came back to the carnation bee
again. At least. the Pinks were not visitet
again by huInming birds that season.
This summer I ives out fishing in tn
Santa Cruz nountainp. All the region'
around were wild. lonely and rugged On
hot day was fishing along rushing littl
torrent I was stancing knee deep ., 9l
ing eddy. Opposite, on the rocky bank
stood a cedar tree. A long. slender link
reaching to nidstream, hung only few
feet above my head
While busy angling a hummer cam
buzzng around my head. 1t kept circlinI
around me In an annoying manner. Severa
times the wee thing actually flew into m.
face
Finally stopped fishing. Instantly
the bird aliuhted on a twip and eyed mt
sharply with it's BRIGHT, bead like eyes
A moment later its little mate arrived oil
the scene Then began Il great hustle.
Surely there must he nest near by
Issid softly to myself.
Then looked all around, but failing T.
discover one resum sum, my my ns nam vh;r,;n,
around my barred head like two auRr,
hornets This they kept up until desistefl
Then both alighted and eyed ne susri
ciously. Again and again ! tried to fish
but the persistent creatures would give m
no peace. .,
Down laid my rod and began to scare
carefully for a nest Sure enough, ther
was one concealed amid the cedar bouehs
right above nv head, where stood fishing
Very gently 1 drew the pent ent brancl
the thimble OF home. Meantime tn
birds kent angrily buzzing about, fre
auently striking against my face. In TIM
fairylike little nest were two very deiicat
pearl cray eggs not az large S as sma ,, pea
to describe it!
Having grstihed my vulgar ourioosit,
I quietly withdrew, to the very eviden
delight OF the little domestic couple.
On another occasion ! was out walkin
In an orchard. I observed two hummin
birds fitting around a certain apricot ire
branch. They seemed to regard me wit
great suspicion, uttering their short, chirI
Ing notes. ] stopped, watched the pail
and then slowly advanced. which great
increased the birds excitement.
When within few yards OF the tree
noticed a young bird sitting on a nest
He was almost grown: Not wishing t.
brighten the little chap. I abruptly stopped
But II was too late. for he darted away
However, he was too oallow, and his fiedo
ling wings too weak, for down he sani
nuttering and falling into big tuft OF Ia
As he was perfectly helpless. ! pickle
him up and tenderly placed him back o
the nest. TIC. nv surprise and amuse
ment, the bird did not attempt TO oscar,
but he stood up boldly on the edge q hi
nest and looked straight at me in defar
and saucy manner, Just like starting
In the meantime the parent birds wer
whirring around my ears like angry wasp
but when thew saw that meant no harI
to their offspring they alighted on q branc
, near by and watched me closely. When RI
, treated both seemed greatly relieved.
Once was spending few days In SAINT
Clara valley at o farmhouse. lare
dump Of climbing honeysuokle stood
one corner OF the yard. ! noticed tw
. | h,,v, aIy,noat Oonatantly hOyarinR aDOl