HUMMINGBIRDS 



HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE 



Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the small- 

 est of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown 

 patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Their 

 nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant 

 fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight 

 is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating 

 stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small 

 insects and honey both of which they get chief- 

 ly from flowers. 



426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. 

 Eugenes fulgens. 



Range. Mexico, north in summer to south- 

 ern Arizona where they breed at high eleva- 

 tions in the Huachuca Mountains. 



This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hum- 

 mers having the crown a violet purple color, 

 and the throat brilliant green. This species 

 saddles its nest upon branches often at heights 

 of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are 

 made of plant down and generally decorated 

 with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of 

 the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure 

 .65 x .40. 



427- BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 

 Cyanolcemus clemencies. 



Range. Mexico, north in summer to the 

 border of Arizona and western New Mexico. 



This species is the largest of North Ameri- 

 can Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this be- 

 ing slightly larger than the preceding. As the 

 name implies, it has a patch of blue on the 

 throat, the upper parts being a uniform green- 

 ish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped 

 with white. Their nests, which are placed up- 

 on the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and 

 plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two 

 eggs are laid during July and August, and 

 measure .65 x .40. 4 <>7_429 



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