HUMMINGBIRDS 



428. Ruby-throated 

 Hummingbird. 

 Archilochus coluhris. 



Range — North America east 

 of the Plains and north to 

 Labrador. 



This is the only represen- 

 tative of the family found 

 east of the Mississippi. It is 

 a small species, 3.5 inches 

 long, with greenish upper 

 parts and a bright ruby throat. 

 Its nest is as beautiful, if not 

 more so, than that of any 

 other species. They build 

 their nests on horizontal 

 limbs of trees at any height 

 from the ground, but usually 

 more than six feet. Branches 

 an inch or more in diameter 

 are usually selected, they not 

 being particular as to the 

 kind of tree, but oaks, pines 

 and maples perhaps being 

 used the most often. The 

 nests are made of plant fibres 

 and down, and the exterior is 

 completely covered with green 

 lichens so that it appears like 

 a small bunch of moss on the 

 limb. The two white eggs are 

 laid in May or June; size .50 

 X.35. 



429- Black-chinned Hummingbird. Archilochus alexandri. 

 Range. — North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Colum- 

 bia; winters south of the United States. 



Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and 



upper throat black, the 

 rest of the throat gorget 

 being violet or amethyst. 

 It is an abundant species 

 in summer in many locali- 

 ties, especially in the south- 

 ern half of its range. They 

 build their nests at low ele- 

 vations, rarely above ten 

 feet, on small branches or 

 the fork at the end of a 

 limb. The nests are made 

 of yellowish plant fibres 

 and are not covered with 

 lichens, so that they have 

 a peculiar spongy appear- 

 ance. Eggs indistinguish- 

 able from those of the 

 - Ruby-throat. Laid during 

 April, May or June. 

 2?;} 



Kuby-throated Hummingbird 



18 



