HUMMINGBIRDS 
237 
metallic amethyst violet changing to blue and green ; back, rump, and mid¬ 
dle tail feathers green or bronze, outer feathers purplish dusky; tail 
slightly forked, outer feathers abruptly narrower 
than pair next them; under parts whitish, belly 
glossed with green. Adult female: under parts 
whitish, throat more or less spotted with metallic 
purple ; sides greenish; upper parts and middle 
tail feathers bronzy green, other feathers grayish 
brown at base, with black subterminal band and 
white tip. Young: similar to female, but duller, 
and feathers of upper parts narrowly tipped with 
huffy whitish. Male : length 2.75-3.20, wing 1.75- 
1.90, tail 1.10, bill .65-68. Female: length 3.55- 
3.70, wing 1.70, tail 1.05, bill .70. 
Remarks. —The scales on the crown distinguish „ ,, . , 
costa from any common hummingbird except Fi 310 Costa Humming- 
anna, and in costa the glitter is bluish purple, bird 
never pinkish as in anna. The females of anna 
and costa may be distinguished by the small size of costa , and female 
costa from females of Selasphorus and Atthis by absence of rufous on tail. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Lower Sonoran zone from southern parts of 
New Mexico and Utah to southern California; migrates to Lower Cali¬ 
fornia and other parts of western Mexico. 
Nest. — Loosely made of plant down or shreds of plant fiber lined some¬ 
times with feathers and covered with bits of gray lichen, bark, and leaves, 
bound with web; placed from 1 to 6 feet from the ground, on cactus, in 
bushes or trees. Eggs : 2, white. 
Food. — Insects found on plants and shrubs such as squaw cabbage, 
wild rose, plum, and cherry. 
The habits of the Costa hummingbird seem to differ little from 
those of the family except that it is somewhat more of a desert-loving 
species. Dr. Fisher states that it is the common hummingbird of 
the desert valleys and mountains of southern California and Nevada. 
He has seen it hovering over a bunch of flowers by moonlight. Mr. 
F. Stephens reports the rare sight of a male hummer helping to build 
the nest. 
431. Calypte anna (Less.). Anna Hummingbird. 
Adult male. — Top of head , gorget , and long ruff brilliant metallic deep 
rose pink with bronzy and green lights ; upper 
parts and middle tail feathers metallic green or 
bronzy; tail decidedly forked, without rufous or 
white; feathers widening gradually from outside 
to middle; under parts whitish glossed with 
green. Adult female: similar except on head and 
tail; crown green like back; throat usually 
specked with rose. Young: similar to adult female, but feathers of upper 
parts edged with brown. Male: length 3.40-3.60, wing 1.90-2.00, tail 
1.30-1.45, bill .65- 70. Female: length 3.80-4.15, wing 2.05, tail 1.30, 
bill .75. 
Remarks. — Female anna is larger than the females of costa, or of Tro- 
chilus alexandri or colubris. 
From Kidgway, Smithsonian. 
Fig. 311. 
