XLIV 



EUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIED 

 428. Archilochus colubris 



The back of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is of 

 a metallic green color ; the chin is black, the throat is ruby 

 and the belly is whitish. The females and the young are 

 without the ruby throat. The tail feathers are barred 

 black and white-tipped. The length of the bird is four 

 inches. 



The "Hummers" are confined to this continent 

 where about five hundred species have been classified, 

 extending over a range from the Arctic Circle to Pata- 

 gonia, About sixteen species are found in the United 

 States. The Ruby-throat is the only one found in the 

 vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri. (Fig. 67.) 



They are late nesters, as the warm season must be 

 thoroughly established lest the delicate young be chilled 

 to death by an unexpected cold spell. The nest is located 

 a few feet from the ground on a horizontal limb, fre- 

 quently over the water. There are two eggs, pure white, 

 or slightly rose-tinted. The nest is the very climax of 

 bird architecture, finished in wonderful perfection and 

 lined with the most delicate, silken, plant down. 



The male is very attentive during the mating season ; 

 he is frequently seen feeding the female and bestowing 

 other sweet and loving tributes, but as soon as the eggs 

 are laid he refuses to accept as any part of his duty the 

 drudgery of household affairs. Incubation lasts about 

 twelve days, and the young remain in the nest twenty- 

 eight days after hatching. 



Hummingbirds are pugnacious to a marked degree 

 and do not hesitate to attack birds many times their size, 

 or even human beings if the sanctity of the bird homes 

 is invaded. 



These birds feed on honey from the flowers and eat 

 the small aphis so abundant on flowering plants. The 

 delicate feet of these beautiful little creatures are rarely 



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