Paul, I was delighted by the deft humor and pleasure in the birds which
you conveyed, but for the hummer's sake I'm not sure we want to
encourage raptors in the area. . . esp. Cooper's

Leo Weigant

>>>  12/21/2004 1:21:17 PM >>>
The hummingbird was at the feeder and heat lamp in the Ripley Garden
from 
11:40 to noon today (12/21/04), perched on the heatlamp, making
occasional 
sallies to the sugar water.  The feeder is in brilliant sunshine until
noon 
(photographers take note) and the bird showed distinctive tail feather

coloration.  The tail feathers start with a rufous-orange color, then
dark 
brown or black and end with white spots.  The beak is slightly
decurved, and 
the neck has light stripes on dull white.  Please note the tail
coloration 
if you spot the bird.  Last year there were two hummers at the garden.

The bird is seemingly in good health, preening, chattering and
feeding.

While watching the hummingbird, two adult BALD EAGLES glided over the
Mall, 
headed for the National Gallery of Art, and an immature and adult
COOPER'S 
HAWK were seen.  Let's find a raptor nest on the Mall and challenge NYC
for 
bragging rights.

Paul Mocko
McLean, VA