Black-chinned Hummingbird. 



Trochilus alexandri Bourcier & Mulsant. 



Y FRIEND, Mr. T. B. Gault, has sent me the following excellent account of 

 'CQ^ the Black-chinned Hummingbird. 



"To the ornithologist who may be so fortunate as to visit southern California in 

 the spring, when Nature has put on her holiday attire, and everything appear* at its 

 best, our friends, the feathered midgets, will contribute not a little to the pleasure of 

 his stay. 



"In no other section of our country, perhaps, can we boast of having such num- 

 bers, if not species, of that interesting family Trochilidse. Although not as plentiful as 

 we might expect to find them in the more favored climes of South and Central America^ 

 where they are said to be found in the greatest abundance, both as regards individuals 

 and species represented, nor 'as thick as flies,' as the writer was informed on the train 

 going west, they are sufficiently numerous enough, however, to make themselves inter- 

 esting, even to the casual observer, forming, as they do, one of the characteristic 

 features of bird-life wherever flowers are to be found ; for every 'cactus-patch,' orange 

 orchard and flowered mesa may justly lay claim to numbers of these beautiful and dainty 

 creatures. They are, in fact, almost everywhere, and my experience, was that 1 met 

 with them in the most unlocked for and out-of-the-way places. The entrances to some 

 of the small ravines, or canons, running back into the foot-hills, seemed to offer favorite 

 retreats, as flowers were usually abundant in such localities; and, later on, when the 

 time for nest-building had arrived, several pairs would take up their residence, for the 

 time being, in the trees and bushes found farther up the canon, but more often in the 

 case of running'-water, however, as in selecting their nesting-sites they appear to have 

 a preference for mountain brooks and therefore entertain a peculiar hobby in the con- 

 struction of their nests on shrubbery overhanging the water. 



"But without treating further the subject in a general way, it may be better, per- 

 haps, to go more into details and deal with each species separately, with the view of 

 presenting my observations in a way that is more methodical. 



"As these notes relate principally to the breeding habits of the birds in question, 

 all others can be regarded as merely incidental. 



"Next to the Anna, the Black-chinned Hummer is the most conspicuous species in 

 southern California. It frequents the orange groves in greatly augmented numbers, 

 especially at twilight, when the shadows begin to creep up the mountain-sides, and 

 other birds are commencing to retire for the night. Flitting in and out among the 

 fragrant blossoms, and golden fruit, they seem the embodiment of all that is bright, 

 energetic and industrious ; for very often three or four may be seen at once around the 

 same tree, and should two males chance to meet, a combat is sure to follow, and, 

 although no serious damage may result to either, one or other looses courage and darts 

 off like an arrow with the other in hot pursuit, scolding him in a mantKr more excitable 



