80 



AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



always breed in the chimneys of the Smithsonian, the White House, 

 and other public buildings. There is an old residence in Georgetown 

 the chimneys of which, one year at least, were used by hundreds if not 

 thousands of the Swifts as a nightly resort; into which we have seen 

 them stream iug toward nightfall. [105] 



Family TEOCHILID^E: Humming-birds. 



132, (29.) Trochilus colubris Linn. Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 



A summer resident; the only member of the family found here. Some 

 suppose there are different species of Humming-birds in the Eastern 

 United States, but this is a mistake. The Ruby-throat is abundant, es- 



Fig. 00. — Baby-throated Humming-bird. 



pecially early in the fall. It arrives in spring about May 1, and remains 

 until the first approach of cold weather. Tt is frequently seen in the parks 

 and gardens of the city, and in the surrounding country in patches of 

 wild flowers growing along the little streams. The catalpas in the 

 White House Grounds attract large numbers when in bloom. [409J 



Suborder CUCULIFORMES : Cuculiform Birds. 

 Family ALCEDINID.F : Kingfishers. 



133, (33.) Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) Bote. Belted Kingfisher. 



A summer resident, and still not uncommon along the rivers and Rock 

 Creek. It is nearly permanent, only forced southward by the freezing 

 of the waters ; but its arrival, or, at any rate, its increase in numbers, 

 may be noted late in March, and the opposite circumstances early in 

 October. [123] 



