ORDER MACROCHIRES 



SUBORDER TROCHILI 



Family Trochilidse 



Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — Trochilus colubris. 

 3.70 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Smallest bird and only Hummer found in 

 Albany County; upper parts bright lustrous green; throat 

 glistening ruby-red, the feathers resembling tiny, metallic 

 scales ; rest of plumage grayish ; violet tinge on wings and 

 tail. 



This gay little sprite, familiar to everyone in City or country 

 who owns a flower garden, is the only representative of its 

 great and beautiful family found east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 It is quite numerous throughout its habitat, which includes 

 Albany County. But the finding of the wonderful nest, which 

 is made of silky vegetable down and covered with tiny lichens 

 until it resembles a knot on a branch, is such an uncommon 

 event that it is always treasured in the mind of the most 

 experienced student. I once, however, knew an old country 

 mansion, overgrown with Trumpet Creepers, where the lively 

 Hummers literally swarmed, and never a season passed but 



