RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. 
213 
Adult female. Lacks the red throat of the male. The tail is tipped with white and is rounded. The sides are not as 
greenish and show traces of rufous, otherwise, similar. 
Young male. Quite bronzy above, with the feathers of the throat showing darker centers and occasionally a ruby 
feather with the metallic luster. The sides show some greenish but this is underlined and overwashed with rufous. The 
tail feathers are tipped with white as in the female but they are narrower, yet the tail is not forked as in the adult. 
Young female. Similar to the young male but the feathers of the throat show grayish centers; the white is not as 
clear, especially on the breast where it is quite grayish, and the sides are also grayish overwashed with rufous. The feath¬ 
er's of the top of the head are overwashed with rufous. 
Nestlings. Are born naked and pass directly into the next plumage without a moult or any intermediate downy stage. 
Bill and feet, black in all stages. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
There is but little variation in plumage in specimens of the same age and sex yet the bill varies considerably in length 
and breadth. The males of the first year undergo a partial moult in the spring and gradually assume the forked tail and 
ruby gorget of the mature stage; thus those that I obtained at Key West exhibit all the transitional stages between the 
two plumages. Distributed during summer throughout Eastern North America, south to Florida. Winters at Key West 
and in South America. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of nineteen specimens from New England and Florida. Length, 3‘50; stretch, 4 - 37; wing, P75; 
tail, POO; bill, '76; tarsus, ‘17. Longest specimen, 3 95; greatest extent of wing, 4'75; longest wing, 1*90; tail, POO; bill, 
•83; tarsus, ‘20. Shortest specimen, 3 - 07; smallest extent of wing, 4'00; shortest wing, 1*50; tail, - 90; bill, '50; tarsus, '15. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in trees or bushes, composed of the moss from ferns neatly and smoothly covered with lichens which are 
kept in position by cobwebs. Dimensions, external diameter, P50, internal, l’OO. External depth, P25, internal, '75. 
Eggs, two in number, elliptical in form, pure white in color, unpolished and unspotted. Dimensions from - 45 x ’35 to 
•50x-35. • 
HABITS. 
I do not think that there are any birds which have received so much attention from 
authors as the Ruby-throated Hummers, for they were among the first of the family to be 
brought into notice and were observed by every one who was in the least inclined to regard 
natural objects. This is not surprising for no one can well avoid admiring these graceful, 
little birds, and the matter which has been written upon their habits, both by scientific 
and popular authors, would fill volumes. I shall, therefore, be spared the trouble of say¬ 
ing much which has not only already been said, but which has been reiterated until it is 
perfectly familiar to every one; thus I shall only present the salient points of their history 
as I have observed them. 
Just as soon as the cherry trees of New England begin to show their snowy blossoms, 
the buzz of the Humming Birds may be heard and the gleam of their ruby throats may be 
seen glancing through the foliage. At first, only the more brilliant males appear but they 
are soon followed by their duller colored but no less lively mates, and then we hear the 
low twittering which, though given in different keys, is the only note which these pygmies 
can utter. I say that the key can be varied, by this I mean that when the Ruby-throats 
are enraged, and this is easily accomplished for it will be difficult to find more irascible 
birds, they will emit their squeak louder, more rapidly, and in a sharper tone. This is 
especially noticeable when a rival male presents himself and endeavors to feed on a tree 
that is occupied by another. The instant they catch sight of each other, without any pre¬ 
liminary skirmishing, they dash together and a furious conflict ensues, not only of blows 
