Dr. Heermann represents the nest as composed of fine mosses, lined with the feathery down of various seeds, and containing two white eggs. He saw this bird also at Guaymas, in Mexico.
The figures in our plate are of the size of life, and represent adult males. The plant represented is Odontoglossum Cervantesii, a native of Mexico.
DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Genus Trochilus. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 189. (1766.)
Size small, in some species diminutive, and the smallest of birds; bill slender, frequently straight, and also frequently curved, acute; wings comparatively large, generally pointed and formed for rapid flight; quills flattened, first primary longest, and curved inwards; tail various; legs and feet very short and feeble. The birds of this group are exclusively American.
Trochilus Alexandri. Bourcier and Mulsant, Annals of the Royal Society of Physical and Natural Sciences of Lyons, IX. p. 330. (1846.)
Form. Small; bill long; nearly straight; wings rather short; first quill longest, and somewhat curved; tail rather short, marginated, with its feathers narrow and pointed; legs and feet very short and weak.
Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 3¼ inches; wing, 2¹/₁₀; tail, 1 inch.
Color. Entire upper parts golden green; dark on the head; wings and tail brownish-black, except the central feathers of the latter, which are green; throat brilliant purple, with violet reflections, which color is succeeded by a broad transverse band of white; other under parts golden green, mixed with pale brownish and ashy; bill and feet dark.
Hab. California and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.