THE CALLIOPE HUMMmGEIRD. 219 



77. Stellula calliope (Gould). 



CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD. 



TroeMlus [Galothorax) calliope Goxjld, Proceedings Zoological Society, 1847, 11. 

 Stellula calliope Gould, lutroduction to the TrocLilidte, 1861, 90. 

 (B — , 282, E 343, G 417, U 430.) 



Geographical range: Mountainous regions of western North America; north to 

 British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana; east to the Eocky Mountains; south, through Cal- 

 ifornia, Arizona, and New Mexico, over the table-lauds, to the Valley of Mexico and the 

 State of Guerrero, Mexico. 



The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest of the TrocMlidce fouiicl within 

 the United States; but, notwithstanding its diminutive size, it is quite hardy, and, 

 on the Pacific Coast at least, it is foinid 3° or 4° north of our boundary. In 

 British Columbia, according to Mr. John Fannin, it is said to occur on both 

 slopes of the Cascades, and it will undoubtedly yet be recorded from the Prov- 

 ince of Alberta, as it is found both in northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. 

 I have taken it at Fort Colville, Washington, near the line; and have seen it on 

 Pond d'Oreille Lake, in Idaho; while Dr. C. Hart Merriam took an adult female 

 near Fort Ellis, Montana, on July 3, 1872, where it was undoubtedly breeding. 

 Messrs. Richmond and Knowlton obtained an immature bird on August 12, 1888, 

 at Bear Creek, and Mr. R. S. Williams records a specimen from Grold Run, in 

 the Belt Mountains, on May 24, 1882; he writes me that he has also observed 

 it near Columbia Falls, thus showing that this species is pretty generally dis- 

 tributed over the more mountainous and western portions of the State of Montana. 

 These points, according to our present knowledge, mark the northern limits of 

 its known range. I have been unable to find any records of its occurrence in 

 either Wyoming or Colorado; but as it is known to be a summer resident 

 in various parts of both Utah and northern New Mexico, it will probably yet be 

 found along the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains in these two States. It 

 is known to occur in the mountains of California, Arizona, and New Mexico, as 

 well as in suitable localities in the intervening regions, and as already stated 

 extends southward over the table-lands of Mexico. Its breeding range is coex- 

 tensive with its geographical distribution in the United States. 



The Calliope Hummingbird is a mountain-loving species, and during the 

 breeding season is rarely met with below altitudes of 4,000 feet, and much 

 more frequently between 6,500 to 8,000 feet. Its favorite resorts are the open 

 timber found about the edges of mountain meadows and parks, and the rocky 

 hillsides covered here and there with straggling pines and small aspen groves. 



Mr. F. Stephens writes me: ^'■Stellula calliope is a rare summer resident in 

 California, at least as far south as the San Bernardino Mountains, where I found 

 two nests in 1885. Each contained young recently hatched. The first nest was 

 found May 24, in the canyon of the Santa Anna River, at about 3,000 feet alti- 

 tude, which must be exceptionally low. The female was seen on the nest; it was 

 driven off and shot, and the skin preserved, so that the identification is unques- 

 tionable. 



