336 HUMMINGBIRDS 



Several species inhabit the depths of dark tropical forests, but, as a 

 rule, they are found with the flowers which bloom in the clearings, or 

 far overhead in the sunlight. They are not gregarious, but an abundance 

 of food sometimes brings large numbers of them together, when the 

 air becomes animated with their rapidly moving forms. The smaller 

 species fly so swiftly that their wings are lost in hazy circles, and it is 

 difficult for the human eye to follow their course. The flight of the 

 larger species is less insectlike, and each wing-beat can be detected. 

 As a rule their voice is a weak squeak or excited chippering, but some of 

 the tropical species have songs of decided character which they sing 

 with much energy. 



Hummingbirds feed largely on insects, which they generally capture 

 in flowers, but many species catch insects on the wing or pick them 

 from beneath leaves. They also feed on the juices of flowers. The nest is 

 usually composed of plant down, bound about with spiders' webs and 

 covered with lichens skilfully attached to a limb or leaf, and is as 

 exquisitely dainty in appearance as its maker. All the species whose 

 nesting habits are known lay two white eggs. The period of incubation 

 with our Ruby-throat is fourteen days. The young are naked when 

 hatched, but a mere breath of down precedes the growth of the 

 Juvenal plumage. 



Strangely enough, these beautiful little creatures are possessed of 

 a most unfortunate disposition, which frequently leads them to attack 

 any bird they fancy is trespassing on their domain. They know no 

 fear, and with equal courage rush at one of their kind or a passing 

 Hawk. 



1892. RIDQWAY, R., Rep. U. S. N. M., forlSOO, 253-383. (Monographic.) 



428. Archilochus colubris (Linn.}. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 

 (Fig. 57.) Ad. d". Upper-parts bright, shining green; wings and tail fuscous, 

 with purplish reflections; throat beautiful metallic ruby-red, bordered on 

 the breast by whitish; rest of the underparts dusky, washed with greenish 

 on the sides; tail forked. Ad. 9. No ruby throat-patch; bronzy green 

 above, whitish below; tail nearly even, outer three feathers tipped with 

 white. Im. d". Similar to 9, but throat with dusky streaks, and, in older 

 birds, with ruby colored feathers. L., 374; W., 1'54; T., 1'15; B., '67. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds from se. Sask., cen. Que., and Cape Breton 

 Is. s. to Gulf coast and Fla., w. to N. D., Nebr., Kans., and cen. Tex.; winters 

 from middle and s. Fla., and La. through s. Mex. and Cen. Am. to Panama; 

 casual in Cuba in migration. 



Washington, common S. R., Apl. 23-Oct. 18. Ossining, common S. R M 

 Apl. 30-Oct. 3. Cambridge, very common T. V., uncommon S. R., May 10- 

 Sept. 20. N. Ohio, common S. R., May 1-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, rare S. R., 

 May 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn,, common S. R., May 19-Oct. 8. 



Nest, of plant down, covered externally with lichens and firmly wound 

 with almost invisible plant fibers; generally 15-25 feet up, saddled on a limb. 

 Eggs, 2, white, '50 x '35. Date, Lafayette Co., Miss., May 6; Iredell Co., 

 N. C., May 11; Ossining, N. Y., May 20; Cambridge, May 24. 



The Ruby-throat needs no song. Its beauty gives it distinction, 

 and its wings make music. Its only note, so far as I know, is a squeak, 

 expressive of distrust or excitement. It has no rival in eastern North 



