356 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



feather similar, but white spot larger and rusty edgings less distinct; 

 outer leather with the white about equal to the black in extent, the 

 basal portion dull brownish gray, faintly tinged with green next to the 

 black, the shaft being very pale brown or bufty. Chin and throat 

 white, faintly flecked with brown, with larger and much more distinct 

 spots of bronzy green on the latero-posterior portion ; rest of under 

 parts pale cinnamon-buff, the belly nearly white. Bill and feet black- 

 ish. Length (skin), 3.10;* wing, 1.68; tail, 0.85, the lateral feathers 

 about 0.10 shorter; exposed culmen, O.GO. 



Young male (No. 69135, Mt. Graham, Arizona, September 20, 1874; 

 II. W. Heushaw) : Not essentially different from some adult females. 

 Middle of throat showing several metallic reddish purple (new) feathers. 



Adult males vary slightly in the color of the metallic portion of the 

 throat-feathers, which in some are a little less reddish purple than in 

 the example described. Some specimens show a decided pale cinnamon 

 or cinnamon-buff wash on sides and flanks, others having scarcely a 

 trace of it. There is the usual range of variation in the color of the 

 upper parts, which may be nearly pure green or with a decided bronzy 

 hue, the latter, however, exceptional in the considerable series exam- 

 ined. 



Adult females vary chiefly in the distinctness of the small dusky 

 markings on the throat, which are sometimes quite obsolete except 

 laterally and posteriorly, and the middle pair of tail-f athers sometimes 

 show a slight rusty edging near the base and a black terminal space. 



This is the smallest of our North American Humming Birds, but, 

 notwithstanding its diminutive size, has a very extensive distribution, 

 ranging farther north than any other of the western species except 

 Selasphorus rufus, and extending from the Pacific Coast nearly, if not 

 quite, to the main chain of the Eocky Mountains. Like the Rufous 

 Humming Bird, however, it does not inhabit every portion of the exten- 

 sive region indicated, but only such parts as are suited to it by topo- 

 graphical or climatic conditions. In California, according to Mr. Ste- 

 phens,! it breeds as far south as the San Bernardino Mountains, where it 

 inhabits the pine region, but in most parts of that State it is, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Beldiog, rare and chiefly a migrant, though breeding in 

 the Sierra Nevada above 4,000 feet. Mr. Townsend $ found it breed- 

 ing abundantly on the McCloud River, in the northern part of the 

 State, as did Dr. Merrill at Fort Klamath, Oregon. Dr. Merriam || 

 obtained a female on the 3d of July at Fort Ellis, Montana, where the 

 species was doubtless breeding, and Mr. John Fannin "records it as a 



* Before skinning, this specimen measured 3 or about 3.33 inches in length; a 

 female measured by Dr. Merrill was 3.35 long, while two measured in the llesh by 

 myself were respectively 3-^ and 3.50 long. 



tLand Birds of the Pacific District, by Lyrnan Beldiug, 1890, p. 89. 



t Pr. U. S. Nat, Mus., vol. x, p. '209. 



$The Auk, vol. v, 257. 



|| Sixth An. Kep. Oeol. Surv. Terr., 1873, p. 693. 



