THE RUFOUS HUMMER. 395 



table duwn. bouiul logetlK-r and laslicd lo its suppurl b\' a wealth of spider- 

 webbing. Unlike tlie nest of colubris. the nest of alcraiidri is not decorated 

 witli lichens: and it not infrequentl}- resembles some small fine sponge, not 

 only in its yellow-brown tint, but in the elastic texttn-e of its walls, which re- 

 gain their sha]ie after being lightly squeezed. The eggs, two in number (but 

 sometimes three in this species alone ), look like homeopathic pills — so dainty, 

 indeed, that the owner herself must needs dart off the nest everv now and 

 then and ho\er at some distance to admire them. The male deserts his mate 

 as soon as she is well established, and the entire care of the little family falls 

 upon her shoulders. The young are fed by regurgitation, " a frightful 

 looking act." as Bradford Torre\- savs. 



No. 153. 



RUFOUS HUMMER. 



A. O. U. No. 433. Selasphorus rufus (('imel.). 



Synonyms. — Red-b.^iCked Hummingbird. Nootka Hummer. 



Description. — Adult male: In general above and below bright rufous or 

 cinnamon-red, changing to bronzy green un crown, fading to white on belly and on 

 chest, where sharply contrasting with gorget: wing-quills purplish-dusky" on tips; 

 the central pair of tail-feathers broadened and broadly acuminate : the succeeding 

 pair with a deep notch on the inner web and a slighter emargination on the outer 

 web ; gorget somewhat produced laterally, of close-set rounded metallic scales, shin- 

 ing coppery-red, fiery red, or (varying with individuals ) rich ruby-red. Bill slender 

 and straight. Adult female: Above rufous overlaid with bronzy green, clear 

 rufous on rump and tail-coverts; pattern of tail as in male but less decided; 

 central tail-feathers green tipped with black: lateral feathers chiefly rufous, 

 changing to biack subterniinally, and tipped with white ; underparts whitish, 

 shaded with rufous on sides; gorget wanting or represented by a small central 

 patch. Young males: Like adult female but more extensively rufous above and 

 throat flecked with reddish metallic scales. Young females: Like adult female 

 but rump green and throat flecked with greenish scales. Length of adult male 

 about 3.50 (88.9): wing 1.65 (41.91); tail 1.30 (33); bill .65 (16.5). Female: 

 3.70 (94): wing 1.75 (44.5); tail 1.28 ( 32.5 ); bill .68 (17.3). 



Recognition Marks. — Pygmy size; abundant rufous of male distinctive; 

 female requires careful discrimination from that of .S". alleni and may be known 

 certainly from it by notching of next central tail-feather, and bv outer tail-feather 

 more than .10 wide. 



Nesting. — Nest: Of plant down and fine mosses bound together with cob- 

 webs, and ornaiuented with lichens, placed on horizontal or declining stem of 

 bush or tree. Eggs: 2, pure white, elliptical oval. Av. size, .50 x .33 (^12.7 x 8.3). 

 Season: April 15-July 10; two broods. 



