HUMMINGBIRDS
HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE
Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the smallest of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Their nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from flowers.
426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. Eugenes fulgens.
Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a violet purple color, and the throat brilliant green. This species saddles its nest upon branches often at heights of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are made of plant down and generally decorated with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure .65 x .40.
427- BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. Cyanolcemus clemencies.
Range. Mexico, north in summer to the
border of Arizona and western New Mexico.
This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the name implies, it has a patch of blue on the throat, the upper parts being a uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped with white. Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two eggs are laid during July and August, and measure .65 x .40.
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428. RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD. Archilochus colubris.
Range North America east
of the Plains and north to
Labrador.
This is the only representative of the family found
east of the Mississippi. It is
a small species, 3.5 inches
long, with greenish upper
parts and a bright ruby throat. Its nest is as beautiful, if not more so, than that of any other species. They build their nests on horizontal limbs of trees at any height from the ground, but usually more than six feet. Branches an inch or more in diameter are usually selected, they not being particular as to the kind of tree, but oaks, pines and maples perhaps being used the most often. The nests are made of plant fibres and down, and the exterior is completely covered with green lichens so that it appears like a small bunch of moss on the limb. The two white eggs are laid in May or June; size .50 x.35.
HUMMINGBIRDS
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
429- BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Archilochus alexandri.
Range. North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Colum
bia; winters south of the United States.
Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and
upper throat black, the
rest of the throat gorget
being violet or amethyst. It is an abundant species in summer in many localities, especially in the south'ern half of its range. They build their nests a! low elewtions, rarely above ten feet, on small branches or the .fork at the end of a limit* T^he nests are made of yellowislr plant fibres and 'are 'not covered with lichens, so that they have a peculiar spongy appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the Ruby-throat. Laid during April, May or June.
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RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
HUMMINGBIRDS
430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Calypte costce.
Range. Southwestern United States; north
to southern Utah; winters south of our border.
Smaller than the last and with both the
crown and the throat gorget, violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being lengthened. Their nests are situated in the forks of branches generally near the ground, and seldom above six feet from it. They are made of plant down with shreds of weeds, bark and lichens worked into the outside portions, and are often lined with soft feathers. The two eggs average .48 x .32. Data. Arroyo Seco, California, June 10, 1900. Nest in an alder bush. Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck.
431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Calypte anna
Range. Pacific coast of the United States
from northern California, southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California.