BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD 395 



Young birds were noticed August 1, and by the 10th they became common. 

 By August 1 the males of this species began to get less numerous, and by the 

 10th there were none; in fact, I saw very few after that date. * * * 



In this locality at least there is an evident reason for this. Just about this 

 date the Scrophnlaria, which is the favorite food plant of the Hummers, begins 

 to lose its blossoms, and in a comparatively short time the flowers give place 

 to the seed pods. Though there are other flowers which are resorted to by 

 the Hummers, particularly several species of Penfstemon, they by no means 

 afford the luxurious living the former plant does. It seems evident therefore, 

 that the moment its progeny is on the wing, and its home ties severed, warned 

 of the approach of fall alike by the frosty nights and the decreasing supply of 

 food, off go the males to their inviting winter haunts, to be followed not long 

 after by the females and youug. The latter — probably because they have 

 less strength — linger last, and may be seen even after every adult bird has 

 departed. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Western United States and Central America. 



Breeding range. — The breeding range of the broad-tailed humming- 

 bird extends north to central Nevada (White Mountains, Toquima 

 Mountains, Monitor Mountains, and the Snake Mountains) ; northern 

 Utah (Brighton, Salt Lake City, and Parleys Park) ; and northern 

 Wyoming ( Yellowstone National Park and Midwest) . East to eastern 

 Wyoming (Midwest, Douglas, Wheatland, and Laramie) ; eastern 

 Colorado (Greeley, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Beulah) ; New 

 Mexico (Culebra Mountains, Pecos, and the Sacramento Mountains) ; 

 and southwestern Texas (Chisos Mountains). South to southwestern 

 Texas (Chisos Mountains) ; northeastern Sonora (Oposura) ; south- 

 ern Arizona (Huachuca Mountains and Santa Eita Mountains) ; 

 southern Nevada (Charleston ]\Iountains) ; and east-central California 

 (Inyo Mountains). West to eastern California (Inyo Mountains and 

 Cottonwood Creek) ; and western Nevada (Davis Creek, Chiato- 

 vich Creek, and White Mountains). It has been stated that this 

 species breeds south to the "Valley of Mexico," but the evidence is 

 unconvincing, particularly in view of the absence of breeding data 

 through the mountainous regions of northern Mexico. A closely re- 

 lated subspecies is found in the highlands of Guatemala. 



IVinter range. — During the winter season the broad-tailed hum- 

 mingbirds appear to be concentrated in west-central Mexico, as in 

 the States of Zacatecas (Bolanos), Jalisco (Volcano de Colima), 

 Mexico (Eslava), and Guerrero (Taxco). 



Spring migration. — Early dates of spring arrival are: Arizona — 

 Tucson, March 25 ; Tombstone, April 4. New Mexico — Apache, April 

 9 ; Chloride, April 13. Colorado — Beulah, April 23 ; Durango, April 

 26; Boulder, May 4. Wyoming — Laramie, May 20. Utah — Salt 

 Lake City, May 3. 



Fall migration.— lunte dates of fall departure as : Wyoming — Fort 

 Sanders, September 3; Laramie, September 16. Colorado — Durango, 



