OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 10:1 



mensions, and measure .77 of an inch in length, and about 

 ,^2 in width. 



Family TrOChilidSD. Humming Birds. 



These tenuirostral Plcarlce are beautiful little creatures, 

 which are peculiar to America. They range from Alaska to 

 Patagonia, being more abundant in tropical South America, 

 particularly the United States of Columbia, than elsewhere. 

 In this country, they are found in very small numbers. These 

 birds apparently fall into two natural groups, Phcethorni- 

 thina, which are dull-colored species inhabiting the wooded 

 plains of the Amazon ; and the TrochiUncc* to w r hich our 

 common Ruby-throated Humming-bird belongs. The num- 

 ber of genera varies from fifty to one hundred and fifty, accor- 

 ding to authors, and embraces nearly five hundred current 

 species. Dr. Cones considers the number of eligible genera 

 to be about seventy five, containing about three hundred 

 species. 



Subfamily TrochilinaD- 



This group is known to be represented in North America 

 by about six genera, comprehending about eleven species ; 

 the genus Selasphorus including nearly as many as all the 

 others combined. 



TrOChiluS COlubriS, Linnaus. 



The Ruby-throated Humming-bird is found throughout 

 the eastern portions of North America, westward to the 

 Missouri valley, and breeds from Florida and Western 

 Texas, to high northern latitudes. Dr. Richardson found 

 it as far north as the 57th parallel of latitude. Specimens 

 were obtained by him on the plains of the Saskatchewan. A 

 Mr. Drummond found it nesting near the head-waters of 

 Elk River. Mr. Dresser found it breeding in the south- 

 western parts of Texas, where it is a common winter resi- 

 dent. Dr. Brewer received both nests and eggs from Georgia 



