The Rufous Hummer 
however, is very irregular, lasting right through March and April, with 
second sets in May or early June. 
At the close of the nesting season the Allen Hummers ascend as 
they move slowly southward, first the males (who are dismissed for 
keeps when the second set is laid) and later the females with young. 
They are, thus, very common in the southern ranges, Mount Pinos, 
San Jacinto, and the rest, any time after the first of July. 
No. 183 
Rufous Hummer 
A. O. U. No. 433. Selasphorus rufus (Gmelin). 
Synonyms.— Red-backed Hummingbird. Nootka Hummer. 
Description.— Adult male: In general above and below bright rufous or 
cinnamon-red, changing to dull bronzy green over dusky on crown, sometimes touched 
with bronzy green on middle of back, fading to white on belly and on chest, where 
sharply contrasting with gorget; bend of wing bronzy green; wing-quills purplish 
dusky; rectrices rufous, tipped with purplish dusky, the dusky areas elongated mesially, 
the central pair of feathers broadened and broadly acuminate; the succeeding pair 
with a deep notch on the inner web, and a slighter emargination on the outer web; 
gorget somewhat produced laterally, of close-set, rounded metallic scales, shining 
scarlet, coppery-red, fiery red, or (varying with individuals) rich ruby-red, changing 
to deep golden green when viewed crosswise. Bill slender and straight. Adult female: 
Above shining golden green or bronzy green, laid over rufous on rump and tail-coverts, 
elsewhere over greenish dusky; pattern of tail as in male but less decided; central 
tail-feathers green, tipped with black; lateral feathers chiefly rufous, changing through 
green to black subterminally, and tipped with white; underparts whitish, shaded with 
rufous on sides; gorget wanting or represented by a small central patch of separated 
scarlet flecks. Young males: Like adult female but more extensively rufous above, 
and throat more flecked with reddish metallic scales. Young females: Like adult 
female, but rump green and throat flecked with greenish scales. Length of adult 
male (skins): 84 (3.31); wing 40.3 (1.59); tail 30 (1.18); bill 16.5 (.65). Female: 85 
(3-35): wing 44.3 (1.75); tail 26.5 (1.04); bill 18 (.71). 
Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; abundant rufous of male distinctive; female 
requires careful discrimination from that of 5 . alleni , and it may be known certainly 
by notching of next central tail-feather, and by outer tail-feather more than .10 wide; 
known from that of Stellula calliope by tail-feathers broader but not expanding sub¬ 
terminally, by narrower primaries, and by larger and less dispersed speckling of throat. 
Nesting.—Not known to breed in California. Nest: Of plant-down and fine 
mosses bound together with cobwebs and ornamented with lichens; placed on horizontal 
or declining stem of bush or tree. Eggs: 2; pure white, elliptical oval. Av. size 
“12.7 x 8.3 (.50 x .33).” 
General Range.—Breeds on the Pacific slope of North America from about 
Latitude 44 (in Oregon) to Latitude 61 (in Alaska), and east northerly to northern 
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