460 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Specimens from the table-lauds of Mexico are smaller than those from 

 Oregon, and have yellower, less ruby throats. 



Habits. This brilliant species has an extended distribution throughout 

 the western part of North America, being found from the valley of the Itio 



Grande to the Pacific, and from Mexico to 

 Sitka. It was first discovered near Nootka 

 Sound, by that distinguished navigator, Cap- 

 tain Cook, and described by Latham, and has 

 been met with as far to the south as Eeal del 

 jMoute, on the table-lands of Mexico, by Mr. 

 Taylor, whose specimens were described by 

 Mr. Swainson. 



Dr. Coues found it very abundant at Ari- 

 zona, near Fort Whipple, as it is also along the whole slope of the Eocky 

 Mountains. It is a summer resident in that Territory, and breeds there abun- 

 dantly, arriving at Fort Whipple April lU, and remaining untU the middle 

 of September, being found in all situations, particularly meadows, open 

 copses, ravines, etc., where flowers are most abundant. 



Mr. Dall gives them as common summer residents at Sitka. Bischoff 

 obtained sixteen specimens. Dr. Suckley says they are very abundant in 

 the western provinces of both Oregon and Washington Territory, and in 

 Vancouver Island. They appear to be very hardy, and are one of the earli- 

 est of the migratory birds to arrive in .spring. At Fort SteHacoom, latitude 

 47^ they appeared Ajiril in. They are supposed to commence their south- 

 ern migrations from tiiat region in September, — a move induced by the 

 scarcity of flowers and lack of means of captivating insects, rather than by 

 cold. In Washington Territory their incubation commences about the lOtli 

 of May, and is made evident by the fierce and angry battles continually oc- 

 curring between the male birds, in which they tilt at each other at full 

 speed, at the same time keeping up a loud and vociferous squeaking and 

 buzzing. 



A nest with eggs, of this species, obtained by Dr. Cooper near Fort 

 Slaughter, May 23, was found in the forked branch of a suowberry-bush. 

 It was composed principally of fine green moss, lined internally with the 

 delicate floss of the cottonwood, and externally bordered most artistically 

 with rock lichens. The female was on the nest, and allowed so near an ap- 

 proach as almost to admit of being grasped by the hand. The nest was 2.00 

 inches in diameter and 1.50 in height. The eggs measured .45 by .33 of an 

 inch, and were white, as in all the species. 



Dr. Cooper states that the appearance of this species at the Straits of 

 Fuca is coincident with the blossoming of the red-flowering currant, which 

 begins to bloom on the Columbia March 10. Tlie male of this species has 

 a remarkable habit, when a stranger or a wild animal approaches its nest, of 

 rising to a great height iu the air, and of then darting down perpendicularly 



