188 EEPOET OF ^EW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Abundant summer resident. Arrives April 17th (April 22d), de- 

 parts October 10th. 



The Chimney Swift is familiar to everyone, circling about in its 

 rapid flight over our houses or fields, now rapidly plying its narrow 

 pinions, and then, with set curved wings, sailing through the air. 



It is always on the wing except when it drops down into the chim- 

 ney and rests, clinging against the sooty walls. Its food consists en- 

 tirely of insects; its note is a long, rapid twitter. 



The Swift is popularly known as the Chimney Swallow, but it is 

 not related to the swallows, the superficial resemblance being due to 

 adaption to the same mode of life. Originally the Swifts nested in 

 hollow trees, but they seem to have entirely abandoned this habit, 

 although Mr. S. N. Rhoads has found them nesting at Haddonfield in 

 an old barn, the nest being attached to the boards. 



Family TROCHILIDiE. 



The Hummingbirds. 



There is but one species of Hummingbird in Eastern North 

 America. 



428 Archilochus colubris (Linnaeus). 

 Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 



PLATE 43. 



Adult maZe.— Length, 3.10-3.25; female, 3.60. Wing, 1.60-1.80. Upper 

 parts, brilliant metallic green ; wings, dusky, coverts edged with green ; lower 

 parts, white on breast, dusky on abdomen, sides tinged with green ; whole 

 throat, brilliant metallic crimson. 



Adult female. — Similar, but crimson on throat lacking. 



Nest externally of lichens, lined with fine down, placed on the upper side of 

 a limb ; eggs, two, white, .50 x .35. 



Common summer resident. Arrives May 3d (May 9th), departs 

 September 25th. 



This is the smallest of our birds, a gem of tropical bird life, which 

 wanders far north of the usual range of its family. Our most familiar 

 view of the Hummingbird is in the garden as he poises himself on 



