Dennis,

I'm really glad you asked about Hummingbirds, because I think there might be a problem with that name.

We have our Creeper's who creep, Dippers who dip, Woodpeckers who do peck wood, etc. As for Hummingbird, I suggest the more accurate name of Vibrator.

When you think about it (as I did all night) Hummingbirds operate a bit below general humming level. Try humming as low as you can go. The Hummingbird vibe is much lower. Even a basso profundo humming just sounds like some big guy humming. Hummingbirds are a lower vibration than that! I could be wrong there, not being an opera listener.

And really, what vibrates more than a "humming'bird? Having banded small Passerines in the past, I remember holding them and feeling the rapid beat of their little hearts. I never held a Vibrator (I mean "hummingbird") before, but can only imagine how much they vibrate, even while perched!

Actually, I got this idea from our home vibrator, who we call George. George is a cat. George admires anyone with body heat, and so last night as usual he was sleeping right atop me, purring away - in other words, vibrating. "By George you've done it!" I thought before going back to sleep. And by the way, last I heard nobody knows why cats do purr, for whatever that's worth.

Jeff Gibson
Everett Wa



Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 03:45:11 +0000
From: dennispaulson at comcast.net
To: gibsondesign at msn.com
CC: tweeters at washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] A Little Dab of Butter




Then what do you call hummingbirds, Jeff?


Dennis


(in Conway, South Carolina - hot and humid and birdy)



From: "jeff gibson" <gibsondesign at msn.com>
To: tweeters at washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 8:35:29 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] A Little Dab of Butter




Snooping out the window this morning as usual, looking for any new migrants, I noticed a little dab of something on the window. It was as perfect a feather sample one could ask for of a Yellow-rumped Warbler - a bit of blue grey, black bits, white bits, and a nice little dab of yellow. All stuck to the window in an area smaller than a dime.

Well there was no sign of the bird on the ground, or more feathers, so there might be a Butterbutt out there with a headache this morning (presuming it was crown feathers off a male) or possibly being a breakfast for a Sharp-shin. With as zippy as they are I wouldn't be surprised if one flew into the window on it's own. I suggest the new name of Zippy Butterbutt. It's easier to say than Yellow-rumped Warbler, which is kind of a lumpy name really. And they sure are zippy!

We've had lots of Zippy's around all week.

Jeff Gibson
Everett Wa


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