GREEN, GREENISH GRAY, AND OLIVE 481 
out of their way. And these little scamps were not 
satisfied even then, but helped him long after he had 
decided to go. Each male seems to claim a particular 
range which he occupies for feeding and breeding pur- 
poses, and every other bird seen by him encroaching on 
his preserve is at once determinedly set upon, and is 
only too glad to beat a hasty retreat. During their 
quarrels these birds keep up an incessant sharp chirping 
and a harsh rasping buzzing with their wings, which 
sounds very different from the low, soft humming they 
make with these while feeding. . . . During the breed- 
ing season the male frequently shoots straight up into 
the air and nearly out of sight, only to turn suddenly 
and rush headlong down until within a few feet of the 
ground. The wings during the downward rushes cut 
the air and cause a sharp whistling screech as they 
descend with frightful rapidity, and should they strike 
anything on their downward course, I believe they would 
be instantly killed.” 
436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD. — Stellula calliope. 
Famity: The Hummingbirds. 
Length: Male 3.00; female 3.50. 
Adult Male: Gorget pinkish purple, streaked with white ; upper parts 
iridescent green ; under parts white, washed with brown and green on 
the sides ; tail-feathers dusky. 
Adult Female: Upper parts bronzy green ; tail rounded ; tail-feathers, 
except the middle pair, tipped with white and banded with black ; 
throat whitish, sometimes spotted centrally with dull metallic purple. 
Young: Similar, but under parts washed with reddish brown and throat 
speckled with darkish. 
Geographical Distribution : Mountainous regions of Western North Amer- 
ica, east to Rocky Mountains; south through California, Arizona, and 
New Mexico to Mexico. 
