438 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



hundred and thirty genera, only two subfamilies have been recognized, as 

 follows : — 



FbaBthornithinaB. Anterior toes connected at the base. No metallic lus- 

 tre to the iliill plumage. 



Troohilinae. Anterior toes not connected at the Ijaso. Plumage brilliant, 

 with more or less of metallic lustre, at least in the males. 



The first-mentioned subfamily embraces five genera, and about fifty 

 species, none of which are iound in the United States. Tlie TrochUincv 

 count nearly four hundred species and one hundred and twenty-five genera, 

 and in the absence of any successful attempt to arrange them in subordinate 

 groups, the dilUculties of determination on the part of the tyro may readily 

 be imagined. 



Of tlie seven genera accredited to North America, with their ten species, 

 we cannot pretend to do more than present an artificial analysis, which may 

 serve to define them as comi)ared with each other, but bear little reference 

 to tlie family as a whole. The characters are select(;d partly from the shape 

 of tail and partly from color. 



Common CirAUACTKiis. All the North Amei'ican TYochilidce have metallic green 

 baeivs, exceptinfj Seldsjihorus riifus, this color extending over the top of head, 

 except in Cali/ple (metallic red and violet), and HeUopcudica (bluish-black). The 

 latter alone has a white stri[)e tliroiigh the eye. Aithis heloisie alone has the tail 

 tii;)ped with wliite in the male. Females of all the species except Heliopcedica 

 have tail tipped with white; all have it rounded. All females lack the metallic 

 tln-oat. Tiio males of the several genera belonging to North America may be 

 distinguished as Ibllows : — 



I. Bill covered with feathers between nostrils. 

 A. Top of head green. 



Feathers of throat not elongated. 



Tail rounded or sligiilly euiarginated, the feathers broad, rounded, and 

 metallic rufous-purple, or greenish-blue. Wing more than 2.50 . Lampornis. 

 Tail more or less Ibrked ; feathers pointed, narrow, and without rufous 



or blue. Wing much less than 2.00 Trochilus. 



Throat-feathers elongated laterally into a kind of ruff. Tail-feathers edged 

 or banded with ciiniamon at liase. 



Tail cuneate, the outer primary attenuated at end. Innermost tail- 

 feather green above. 



Tail dusky at end Selasphoriis. 



Tail tipped with wliite Atthis. 



Tail nearly even, and emarginated. Outer primary not attenuated at 



end. Innermost tail-feather brown above Stellula. 



Urn Top of head metallic red or violet. 



Metallic feathers of side of throat much elongated Calypte. 



II. /ill! hire nf feathers between the nostrils. 



C, Top of head hluish-lilack ; a white line liirough eye. 

 Metal'io feathers of side of thi'o.'it not elongated. 



.. luiirly even, and slightly euiarginated. Lateral feathers verv 

 broad anil olitiise at end Ilcliopa'dica, 



