Sarah Ruckrob, age 10, of Minneapolis, Minn., for her question:

CAN WE TELL THE MALE FROM THE FEMALE HUMMINGBIRD?

The ruby throated hummingbird is the one that returns to nest in Minnesota. Both the male and the female wear glistening green feathers on their backs and wings. But only the male bird has that ruby red throat. The female's throat is soft milky white. In other hummingbird families, almost always the male wears more brilliant colors than the female  and in some cases the female's plumage is quite drab.

Mrs. Ruby Throat builds the nest and sits on the eggs while her husband becomes a battling midget to fend off invaders. She is safer when her plumage blends in with the scenery  and if her throat were vivid ruby red she would be quite conspicuous.