Chapter IX 



NESTS SADDLED ON BRANCHES 



428. Ruby-throated Humming-bird: Trochilus colubris 



Linn. 



Adults — Upper parts metallic green, wings and tail brownish ; 

 under parts, throat metallic red or deep orange red, breast 

 and belly light gray shading into gray on the sides. 



Adults — Lacks the ruby throat. Length — ^3.74. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest is, as Minot says, a perfect type of bird architecture. 

 It is composed of woolly vegetable substance and other soft ma- 

 terial, covered on the outside with small pieces of lichen, fastened 

 on with spiders' or caterpillars' web or plant fibres. The nest is 

 about three-quarters of an inch inside diameter, and usually rather 

 more than half an inch deep (inside). It is saddled on the branch 

 of a tree at from ten to fifty feet from the ground. There are 

 instances on record of the nests having been found attached to 

 tree trunks and on tall weeds. 2 white eggs are laid. Size — 

 ,50 X .30. 



Of about four hundred species of humming-birds known to 

 ornithology the Ruby-throat is the only variety found east of the 

 Mississippi. 



About the first week in May they arrive in the vicinity of 

 New York, and begin nesting about three weeks later. The 

 young remain in the nest for some three weeks. 



459. Olive-sided Flycatcher: Contopus borealis 

 (Swains.) 



Adult — Upper parts olive brown ; under parts, throat, belly, a 

 line down the middle of the breast, and the flanks white, 

 more or less tinged with lemon yellow ; rest of under parts 

 olive brown. Length — 7.40. 



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