RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. 



(Trochilus coluhris, L. Wilson", ii. p. 26. pi. 10. fig'. 3 and 4. Audu- 

 bon, pi. 47, [a numerous group of old and young.] Orn. Biog, i. 

 p. 248. Fhil. Museum, No. 2520.) 



Sp. ChaRact. — Golden-green; tail forked, dusky ; 3 outer tail- 

 feathers rusty- white at tip. — Male with a changeable ruby-colored 

 throat. — In the female and ijov.ng, the throat is nearly white, 

 strongly inclining to yellow in the young male. 



This wonderfully diminutive and brilliant bird is the 

 only one of an American genus, of more than 100 species, 

 which ventures beyond the limit of tropical climates. Its 

 approaches towards the north are regulated by the advanc- 

 es of the season. Fed on the honeyed sweets of flowers, 

 it is an exclusive attendant on the varied bounties of 

 Flora. By the 10th to the 20th of March, it is already 

 seen in the mild forests of Louisiana, and the warmer mar- 

 itime districtsof Georgia, where the embowering and fra- 



