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 chiefly from
flowers.

426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Eugenes fulgens._

Range.--Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at
high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.

This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers 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. _Cyanolaemus clemenciae._

Range.--Mexico, north in summer to the border of Arizona and western New
Mexico.

This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches
long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the name
implies, it has a patch of blue on the throat, the upper parts being a
uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped with white.
Their nests, which are placed upon 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.

[Illustration 273: 427--429.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 272

[Illustration 274: J. H. Miller.
FEMALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST.]

Page 273

428. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus colubris._

Range.--North America east of the Plains and north to Labrador.

This is the only representative of the family found east of the
Mississippi. It is a small species, 3.5 inches long, with greenish upper
parts and a bright ruby throat. Its nest is as beautiful, if not more
so, than that of any other species. They build their nests on horizontal
limbs of trees at any height from the ground, but usually more than six
feet. Branches an inch or more in diameter are usually selected, they
not being particular as to the kind of tree, but oaks, pines and maples
perhaps being used the most often. The nests are made of plant fibres
and down, and the exterior is completely covered with green lichens so
that it appears like a small bunch of moss on