HUMMINGBIRDS. FAMILY TROCHILIDÆ
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Archilochus colubris. [Case 7], Figs. 4, 3
Females and young lack the 'ruby' throat.
Range. Eastern North America, nesting from Florida to Quebec; winters from central Florida to Panama.
Washington, common S.R., Apl. 23-Oct. 23. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 30-Oct. 3. Cambridge, very common T.V., uncommon S.R., May 10-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, rare S.R., May 1-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 19-Oct. 8.
Any Hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi may, with confidence, be called a Ruby-throat; exceptions will probably prove to be sphinx moths, which, it must be confessed, look singularly hummingbird-like as they hover before flowers. When the eggs are laid the male deserts the female, leaving to her the task of incubation and care of the young.
The nest, most exquisite of bird homes, is saddled to a limb usually 15 or more feet up. The two bean-like white eggs are laid in May.