HUMMINGBIRDS 
HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE 
Hummingbirds have been truly called “Winged Gems.’’ They are the small- 
est of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown 
patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Their 
nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant 
fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight 
is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating 
stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small 
insects and honey both of which they get chief- 
ly from flowers. 
426. Rivoli’s Hummingbird. 
Eugenes fulgens. 
Range. — Mexico, north in summer to south- 
ern Arizona where they breed at high eleva- 
tions in the Huachuca Mountains. 
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hum- 
mers having the crown a violet purple color, 
and the throat brilliant green. This species 
saddles its nest upon branches often at heights 
of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are 
made of plant down and generally decorated 
with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of 
the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure 
.65 x .40. 
427- Blue-throated Hummingbird. 
Cyanolcemus clemencice. 
Range. — Mexico, north in summer to the 
border of Arizona and western New Mexico. 
This species is the largest of North Ameri- 
can Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this be- 
ing slightly larger than the preceding. As the 
name implies, it has a patch of blue on the 
throat, the upper parts being a uniform green- 
ish ; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped 
with white. Their nests, which are placed up- 
on the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and 
plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two 
eggs are laid during July and August, and 
measure .65 x .40. 
427 — 429 
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