116 



Family, TROCHILID^. 



116. Trochilus colubris, (iinne). Ruby-throated Humming- 

 bird. A commou summer resident; breeds. Arrives early in May 

 (2, 1872; 11, 1873; 10, 1874; 11, 1875; 6, 187G; 12, 1877; 4, 1878), and 

 departs in September (29, 1874; 20, 1876; 25, 1880). 



Our Humming-bird is fond of visiting the marshes along the 

 Hudson. The bulrush-tops are sometimes used to line its nest with; 

 and the flowers growing there are a great attraction. It is a very 

 fierce little creature when angered. I have seen one attack a pair of 

 Downy Woodpeckers upon the tree which it had chosen for its nest, 

 and drive them off, exhibiting the utmost rage. Once I saw one dart 

 furiously at a small red balloon which a boy was flying in a field. It 

 often alights on telegraph wires. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of six specimens: length, 

 3*74; stretch, 4-12; wing, 1-54; tail, 1*15; culmen, '67; gape -80; 

 tarsus, '18; middle toe and claw, -24. 



Family, ALCEDINIDJE. 



117. Ceryle alcyon {Linne). Belted Kingfisher. A common 

 summer resident ; breeds. Arrives in March (26, 1872; 31, 1873; 18, 

 1874; April 2, 1875; 11, 1876; March 26, 1878; April 9, 1879; 5, 1880), 

 and stays till late in November (4, 1874: 30, 1878). It probably 

 dfccurs on the lower part of the river in winter. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of fourteen specimens : length, 

 1302; stretch, 22-16; wing, 6-17; tail, 3-60; bill from nostril, 1-85; 

 gape, 2-92; tarsus, "42; middle toe, -59; its claw, '38. 



Family, CUCULID^. 



118. Coccyztis erythrophthalmus {Wilson). Black-billed 

 Cuckoo. A very common summer resident; breeds plentifully. 

 Arrives in May (13, 1874; 20, 1875; 20, 1876; 13, 1877; 4, 1878; 9, 

 1879; April 26, 1880), and stays through September (25, 1874; 16, 

 1879). 



It begins nesting in May. The young are covered with curious- 

 looking pin-feathers, which gives them an appearance like that of the 

 wire swab used in gun-cleaning. The old bird is a close sitter, and, 

 when obliged to leave its nest, moves ofi" slowly upon the branches, 

 with wings and tail outspread. Sometimes it will come quite close to 

 the observer, and then utter for several minutes a low, mournful coo, 

 coo, coo, coo, and then an outpouring of harsh, loud notes that quickly 

 bring the mate to its side, all the while keeping its wings and tail ex- 



