TROCHILUS ALEXANDRL 



Purple-throated Humming'-bird. 



Trochilus Aleccaiidri^ Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sci. de Lyon^ torn. ix. 1846, p. 330 



Cassin, 111. Birds of California, p. 141. pi. 22. 

 Mellisuga Alexandria Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. i. p. 113, Mellisuga^ sp. 80. 

 Archilochus Alexandria Reich. Aufz. der Col., p. 13. 

 Trochilus alexandri^ Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 256. 



The native countries of this modestly-coloured, but pretty species of Trochilus are Mexico, California and 

 Texas, and it will be seen from the following note by Mr. Cassin, that the United States also lays claim to it as 

 part of its fauna. It was through the exertions of the late Signor Floresi, that most, if not all the specimens 

 which now adorn the collections of Europe have been procured, all of which were obtained in the table-lands 

 in the vicinity of the celebrated Real del Monte Mines ; but that it extends its range over a vast area 

 northward of the city of Mexico, in all such localities as are favourable to its existence, is more than 

 probable. In its structure and in the disposition of its markings it is precisely similar to the T Coliihrh^ 

 from which, however, it is specifically distinct, as will be immediately seen on an examination and comparison 

 of the Plates of the two species. 



Since the publication of Mr. Cassia's figure in his "Birds of California," a doubt has been expressed by 

 Prince Charles L. Bonaparte as to whether the bird there represented be not distinct from that found in 

 Mexico, and, believing this to be the case, he has proposed the name of Cassini for it, — a term, however, 

 which I have not yet seen in print. The propriety of this step was one of the points in connexion with 

 this group of birds which it became incumbent upon me to investigate during my recent visit to the United 

 States, and I can state that, upon comparing Dr. Heermann's birds, from which Mr. Cassin's description and 

 figure were taken, with others from Mexico, no diflference whatever was observable ; I regret to have to 

 add, that my friend Cassia's Plate gives a very indifferent representation of the bird, and as the Prince had 

 this Plate only, from which to form an opinion respecting the Californian specimens, he may be readily 

 excused for considering them to be distinct from those from Mexico. 



"Within the limits of the United States," says Mr. Cassin, "the Humming-bird now before the reader 

 has been noticed only by Dr. Heermann, whose fine collection, made in California, contained numerous 

 specimens. He detected it in one locality only, — the burying-ground at Sacramento City. There several 

 pairs remained during the season of incubation, and reared their young, finding suitable food and protection 

 among the flowering plants with which, with great feeling and propriety, that last resting-place of the 

 emigrant and stranger has been adorned. 



"Dr. Heermann represents the nest as composed of fine mosses, lined with the feathery down of various 

 seeds, and containing two white eggs. He saw this bird also at Guaymas in Mexico." 



The female of this species, like the female of T. Colubris, differs very considerably from the male in the 

 total absence of the black and rich purple colouring of the throat. 



This species was named Alewandn by MM. Bourcier and Mulsant, in honour of Dr. Alexandre of Mexico, 

 by whom it was first discovered. 



The male has the head dark brown ; all the upper surface dark bronzy-green ; wings purplish-brown ; 

 central tail-feathers bronzy-green ; the lateral ones black, slightly glossed with green ; throat deep velvety- 

 black, bounded below by a band of rich metallic purple; across the breast a band of greyish-white; under 

 surface dull bronzy-grey ; bill and feet black. 



The female has the head brown ; upper surface bronzy-green ; wings purplish-brown ; central tail-feathers 

 bronzy-green ; the lateral ones grey at the base, then black, and lastly tipped with white ; under surface 

 greyish-white ; the throat speckled with brown. 



The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size. The plant is the Enogoimm compositum. 



