North American Birds Eggs. 205 



large h()llt)w stumps are known wliere hundreds nest every year. Tlie majority 

 of the eastern Chimney Swifts now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at 

 least during the summer; some small chimneys contain hut a single pair while 

 other large ones may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests glued to the 

 sides. The birds are on the wing during the greater part of the day, generally 

 not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting site, but returning 

 toward dusk, when they may l)e seen to, one at a time, dive 

 headforemost into the tops of chimneys. The nest is made of 

 .small twigs firmly glued to the sides of the chimney, or tree, 

 iind to each other, with the glutinous saliva of the bird making 



a narrow semicircular platform for the reception of their thrse 



to five white eggs which are deposited in May or June; size [White] 



.75 X .50. 



424. Vaux Swift. Chdrturct rauxii. 



Range.— Western United States, chiefiy west of the Rockies; breeding north to 

 British Columbia, and wintering south of the United States. 



-, Similar to the last but smaller (length 4.5 inches), and paler 



in color, fading to white on the throat. The habits of this 

 species are like those of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that 

 the majority of this species still continue to use hollow trees as 

 nesting places. The eggs are just like those of the last bird. 

 [White! . 



425. White-throated Swift. Aeronautes melanoleucus. 



Range.— Western United States south of Canada, and chiefiy in the Rocky 

 Mountains, and in California ranges, north to Lat. 38^ . 

 -A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish 

 upper parts and sides, and white throat, breast and central line 

 of under parts, fiank patches and ends of secondaries; tail 





feathers not spined or stiffened. These birds are fairly com- 

 mon in some localities within their range, but appear to be 

 found only on high ranges or in their immediate vicinity. [White]. 



They nest in crevices and caves in the face of cliffs, making a 

 nest similar in construction to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks in- 

 stead of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull white eggs, 

 during June or July; size .85 x .50. 



HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILID/E. 



Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are thesmall- 

 est of birds, the usual plumage being of 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 antl downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight 

 is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vil)rating 

 stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small insects and honey both of which 

 they get chiefly from fiowers. 



426. Rivoli Hummingbird. Eugoies fulgens. 



Range. — Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at 

 high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains. 



r 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. 



