242 
HUMMINGBIRDS 
From Ridgway, Smithsonian. 
Fig. 320. Calliope Hummingbird. 
limb of a pine. Eggs: 2, white. 
1.60, tail .90-1.10, exposed ctilmen .55-.5S. 
Female: length 3.50, wing 1.75-l.SO, tail 
1.10-1.15, bill .58-60. 
Remarks. — This is the smallest humming¬ 
bird in the United States, and may be distin¬ 
guished by its size together with the large 
amount of rufous on its under parts and the 
small amount on its tail. 
Distribution. — Breeds in Canadian and 
perhaps Transition zone in western moun¬ 
tains from British Columbia to southern Cali¬ 
fornia, and east to Colorado; migrating as far 
south as mountains of Guerrero, Mexico. 
Nest. — Willow down, proteetingly col¬ 
ored with bits of bark and shreds of cone, 
placed on or against a dry cone or dead 
“The Calliope hummingbird is the smallest of the Trochilidaz 
found within the United States. It is a mountain-loving species, 
and during the breeding season is rarely met with below altitudes 
of 4000 feet, and much more frequently between 6500 to 8000 feet. 
Its favorite resorts are the open timber found about the edges of 
mountain meadows and parks, and the rocky hillsides covered here 
and there with straggling pines and small aspen groves.” (Bendire.) 
At Fort Sherman, Idaho, Dr. Merrill says its arrival in spring is 
coincident with the blossoming of the wild hawthorn. 
GENUS CALOTHOEAX. 
437. Ca.lothorax lucifer (Swains.). Lucifer Hummingbird. 
Bill distinctly curved; tail forked, three outer feathers narrow ; females 
with tail double-rounded and deeply emarginate. 
Adult male. — Bill long and curved; gorget elongated on sides, metallic 
lilac, or violet purple ; upper parts bronzy 
green; forked tail with narrow outer feath¬ 
ers purplish black, four middle feathers 
green; median under parts white; sides 
green and rufous. Adult female: similar, but 
bronzy green above, under parts plain pale 
rufous ; tail less deeply forked than in male 
and feathers broader, the three outer ones ru¬ 
fous at base and white at tip. Male: length 
3.40-3.60, wing 1.40-1.60, tail 1.25-1.35, 
exposed culmen .85-90. Female : wing 1.65- 
1.80, tail 1.20-1.25, exposed culmen .75-.90. 
Remarks. — The female may be distin¬ 
guished by its curved bill. 
Distribution. — From western Texas and 
southern Arizona south to the city of Mexico 
and Puebla. 
Nest. — Cotton or thistle down covered 
with scales of white lichen. Eggs : 2, white. 
Food. — Insects found in flowers of agaves and other plants. 
