PASSERES-TROCHILID-32-TROCHILUS. 
47 
Description. Bill straight, somewhat dilated near the tip. First primary longest, reach¬ 
ing nearly to the tail, which is deeply emarginate (Audubon describes it as even). 
Color. Above light green, with metallic reflections. Primaries and lateral tail-feathers 
dusky black. Beneath greyish white mixed with green. Throat and breast in the male 
resplendent ruby or flame-colored, varying into dusky orange, according to the light in which 
it is held. Female, without the brilliant throat mark, greyish beneath ; the lateral tail- 
feathers broadly banded with black, tipped with white. Young, dull whitish beneath; the 
tail tipped with white. 
Length, 3'2-3'5. 
This is the smallest species of bird occurring in this State, and, in particularly warm 
seasons, it is found here in great numbers. It reaches the southern parts of the State about 
the commencement of May, and almost immediately begins to construct its nest, which is 
usually placed on the upper side of a limb, and coated with moss or lichens, in order to 
make it resemble the tree to which it is attached. It lays two white unspotted eggs. It 
feeds on the sweet juices of flowers, and, according to the observations of Wilson, undoubt¬ 
edly destroys small insects. It is active and fearless, entering out-houses and dwellings. In 
one instance a humming-bird flew into my hall, and was captured. It appeared as if dead, 
and while the children were busily engaged in examining it, it suddenly darted away, ap¬ 
parently uninjured. The Humming-bird ranges from Mexico to 57° north, where it even 
breeds. It leaves us for the south about the beginning October, and sometimes even earlier. 
In common with the whole family, it is peculiar to America. 
( EXTRA-LIMIT AL.) 
T. rufus. (Audubon, fol. pi. 379.) Head rich green and gold; back rust-color. Primaries deep blue. 
Feathers on the neck elongated into a ruff California. 
T. mango. (Id. fob pi. 184.) Neck and breast velvet-black, margined with emerald green. Female, 
same parts white, with a longitudinal streak of black. Florida Keys. 
T- anna. (Id. Birds of America, Vol. 4, pi. 252, p. 188.) Head, cheeks and throat blood-red changing 
to red; above glossy green. Rocky Mountains. 
