153 



hollow tree. In the autumn, before migration, great numbers gather 

 together and at evening seek the shelter of some ample chimney where 

 they pass the night. They may be seen just before dusk flying about in 

 complicated patterns near the chosen chimney, and as the sun sets, circling, 

 until as they throw the wings straight up over the back and drop fluttering 

 into the stack, one rapidly f ollowing another, they appear to pour in like a 

 miniature maelstrom. The birds cling to the perpendicular walls of the 

 chimney by hundreds, in masses like lumps of soot. Occasionally one with 

 insecure hold drops a few feet, loosening, as it does so, others below; there 

 is a momentary flutter of wings and a small chorus of fine sharp chippings 

 until they find new holdings and settle for the night. 



SUBORDER TROCHILI. HUMMINGBIRDS. 



These tiny, insect-like birds with brilliant flower-like coloration, 

 insect-like flight, and wonderfully varied form, are a typically American 

 order. In a way, they occupy much the same position in the New World 

 as the Sun Birds do in the Old World, but the similarity between the two is 

 superficial and not one of relationship. Many species are highly specialized 

 and exhibit some of the strangest forms in the bird world, including crests, 

 ruffs, fans, and muffs, exaggerated tails, long plumes, and enormous sword- 

 like and fine awl-shaped bills, but their most strilJng feature is the brilliant 

 metallic colorations that gleam on various parts of the body. They 

 feed largely upon the nectar of flowers. The tongue is very long and 

 protrusive as in the Woodpeckers, with its sides curled over towards the 

 middle to form a double tube frayed into a brush-like tip which makes a 

 most efficient organ for sucking liquids. Numbers of small insects, how- 

 ever, are taken with the nectar and, from feeding experiments on captives, 

 seem to be necessary to the bird's welfare. They are usually minute 

 forms taken from the flowers from which the nectar is obtained. 



Hummingbirds as a group are tropical and subtropical species and 

 increase greatly in number to the south, though one species in the east 

 ranges well to the north. 



H 



FAMILY TROCHILID.E. HUMMINGBIRDS. 



As there is only one family of Hummingbirds, represented in eastern 

 Canada by a single species, see preceding and succeeding headings for 

 general description. 



Genus Archilochus. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. 



428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. FR. LE COLIBRI A GORGE RUBIS. L'OISEAU- 

 MOTJCHE. Archilochus columns. L, 3-74. Plate XXII A. 



Distinctions. Size; slender bill (Figure 40, p. 25); and metallic coloration are dis- 

 tinctive. 



Nesting. In a beautiful structure covered with bits of lichens and cobwebs, saddled 

 on the top of a branch. 



Distribution. Eastern North America north to the limits of present cultivation. 



Hummingbirds fly forwards, backwards, sideways, or remain per- 

 fectly stationary in the air with equal ease another instance of parallel 

 development bird flying like an insect yet in structure strictly bird-like. 



