98 CONTHIBUTIONS FROM THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM. 



FAMILY TROCHILID^E: HUMMING-BIRDS. 



172. Archilochus colubris (Linn.). Ruby-throated Humming- 

 bird. 



This, the only species of Hummingbird found east of the Missis- 

 sippi River, is an exceedingly abundant summer resident through- 

 out the entire state. In the neighborhood of Charleston the birds 

 make their appearance between March 28 and 31. The males 

 arrive first and the females a few days afterwards, when they com- 

 mence to mate almost immediately. From two to four males 

 start in pursuit of a female and continue until driven away by the 

 successful suitor. 



The nest is built by both sexes, and is placed on a horizontal 

 branch of a tree, sometimes as low as ten feet and again as high as 

 forty-five feet from the ground. Some nests are beautiful, being 

 composed of plant-down of different colors, and ornamented 

 externally with lichens which grow on live oaks and other trees. 

 This species, as well as the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila 

 cmrulea), places the lichens all over the outside of the nest in the 

 same manner as they grow on the trees, i. e. with the light bluish 

 gray side outwards. Two eggs are laid, which are pure white, 

 and measure .50X-35. I have taken fresh eggs as early as April 

 23, but the greater number of birds breed about May 4. Two 

 broods are raised, and of the second, fresh eggs are to be found 

 by June 25. 



This species frequents tubular flowers in which it finds minute 

 insects upon which it subsists. The adult males appear to leave 

 this country entirely before the middle of September, while the 

 females and young remain until about the middle of October. 1 



The Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters in Cuba and Mexico. 



ORDER PASSERES: PERCHING BIRDS. 



FAMILY TYRANNID.E: FLYCATCHERS. 



173. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). Kingbird; Bee-bird. 



The Bee-bird, as this species is universally known on the coast, 

 arrives with great regularity in spring, and I mention three dates 

 upon which the first birds have been observed, namely — March 



1 A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird was taken in Charleston on December IS, 

 1909, and recorded in the Bulletin of the Charleston Museum (VI, 1910, 10). It has 

 Since been reported in January, February and early March.— Ed. 



