458 



XURTH AMKUIC^VN BIRDS. 



They had already paired, and were coustantly to be seen hovering over the 

 flowers. Their notes consisted of a rapid chirjiing sound. As Dr. Kennerly's 

 yiarty approached tlie coast of California, where the \aIle}'S abounded with 

 flowers of every hue, these birds continued flitting before them in great num- 

 bers. Dr. Coues states tliat tliis species was nut taken at Fort AVhijiple, tliougli 

 abundantly distril)ute(l througliout the Territory, particularly in its southern 

 and southwestern ])ortions, and found about fifty miles south of I'rescott. 

 It is presumed to winter within the Territory, and also within the valley of 

 the Colorado. Dr. Cooper did not observe any at Fort ilohave until March 

 5, and they were not numerous afterwards. At San Diego, in 1862, when 

 the spring was unusually backward, he saw none before April 22, and he has 

 since met with them as far north as Sau Francisco, where, however, they are 

 rare. The notes uttered by the male he compares to the highest and sharp- 

 est note that can be drawn from a violin. Nothing more is known as to their 

 distinctive specific peculiarities. 



Genus SELASPHORUS, Sw.vinson. 

 Selasphortis, Sw.vixsoN, F. B. A. 11, 1831, 324. (Type, Trochihis rufiis.) 



As already stated, the characters of Sclasjjhortai, as distinguished from 

 Calypte (to wliich it is most nearly related, through the L'.Jlorcsi), consist in 



the lack of metallic feathers on the crown, and 

 in the attenuation of the outer primary, and the 

 pointed and acuminate cuneate (instead of 

 forked) tail. 



As distinguished from TrncJiihia, the quills 

 diminish gradually, instead of showing an ab- 

 rupt transition l^etween the fourth and fifth, so 

 characteristic of the two species of Trochihis, as 

 restricted. The very attenuated tiji of the outer 

 primary is a character entirely peculiar tri Sclaxpliorus. 



The two North American species, though strictly congeneric, tlitfer from 

 each other considerably in details of form, as well as in color. They may 

 be distinguished from each other and from their two Central American 

 allies as follows : ■ — 



Species and Varieties. 



A. Feather.? of tlie metallic gorget not elongated laterally. 



S. platycercus. Above continuovis metallic green ; tail-feathers merely 

 edged witli rutbu.s. Gorget purpli.sh-red. 



Wing, 1.90 ; tail, 1.40 ; bill (from forehead), .66. Gorget rich solferino- 

 purple, the feathers grayish-white beneath the surface. Outer primar}' 

 with its attenuated tip turned outward. Hab. Rocky Mountains and 

 Middle Province of United States, south to Guatemala . var. platycercus. 



"X, 



Selasphonts ntjus. 



