Part 41

Description.—_Adult male_: Upperparts including middle pair of tail-feathers shining bronzy green; wing-quills and remaining rectrices fuscous with purplish reflections; tail double-rounded, its feathers broadly acuminate, and central pair of feathers about .12 shorter than the third pair, the outermost pair shorter than middle pair; the gorget chiefly opaque velvety black, on each side of the median line a small irregular patch of metallic orange, or else with various jewelled iridescence posteriorly; remaining underparts white, heavily tinged with greenish on sides, elsewhere lightly tinged with dusky and dull rufous; bill slender, straight. _Adult female_: Similar to male in coloration but without gorget, a few dusky specks instead; tail different, single-rounded, central feathers like back in coloration, and scarcely shorter than succeeding pairs, remaining feathers with broad subterminal space of purplish black, and tipped with white, lateral feathers scarcely acuminate, the outermost barely emarginate on inner web. Length of adult male: about 3.50 (88.9); wing 1.75 (44.5); tail 1.25 (31.8); bill .75 (19.1). Female, length about 4.00 (101.6); wing 1.95 (49.5).

Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; black gorget of male distinctive; female larger than in _Stellula calliope_, with which alone it is likely to come into comparison.

Nesting.—_Nest_: Of plant down secured by cobwebs, saddled upon small descending branch at moderate height, or lashed to twigs of small fork. _Eggs_: 2 or, rarely, 3, pure white, elliptical oval in shape. Av. size, .50 × .33 (12.7 × 8.3). _Season_: May or June according to altitude; one brood.

General Range.—Western United States, except the northern Pacific coast district, north in the interior into British Columbia, breeding south to northern Lower California and east to the Rocky Mountains; south in winter into Mexico.

Range in Washington.—Not common summer resident east of the Cascades only.

Authorities.—? _Bendire_, Life Hist. N. A. Birds, Vol. II. 1895, p. 199 (inferential). Dawson, Auk, Vol. XIV. Apr. 1897, p. 175. Sr. Ss². J.

Specimens.—(U. of W.) P¹. C.

Those of us, who as children were taught to call lady-bugs “lady-birds,” might have been pardoned some uncertainty as to the whereabouts of the dividing line between insects and birds, especially if, to the vision of the “Hum-bird’s” wings shimmering by day above the flower bed, was added the twilight visits of the hawk-moths not a whit smaller. The Hummer is painted like a butterfly; its flight is direct and buzzing like a bee’s; it seeks its food at the flower’s brim by poising on rapidly vibrating wing like the hawk-moth; but there the resemblances cease. For the rest it is a bird, migrating, mating, and nesting quite like grown folks.

While more than five hundred species of Hummingbirds—and these all confined to the New World—are known to science, those which have looked northward at all have shown a decided preference for the Pacific Coast. Thus, we have four species in Washington, and we send our boldest member, _Selasphorus rufus_, as far north as the St. Elias range in Alaska, while our friends east of the Mississippi River know only one species, the Ruby-throat, _Trochilus colubris_, which is own cousin, and only own cousin to our _T. alexandri_.

Contrary to the popular belief Hummers do not feed largely upon nectar, but insert their needle-bills into the depths of flowers mainly for the purpose of capturing insects. This explains the otherwise puzzling habit the birds have of revisiting the same flower beds at frequent intervals. It is not to gather new-flowing sweets, but to see what flies the sweets themselves have gathered. If a Hummingbird extracted honey to any great extent—it does some—it would be rifling the bait from its own traps. Again, the bird is not footless, as some suppose, for it spends a good deal of time perching on exposed limbs, from which it may dart, Flycatcher fashion, after passing insects.

Nor is the bird quite songless. At La Claire’s, on the banks of the Pend d’Oreille River, we once witnessed a very pretty episode in the life of the Black-chinned Hummer. We were passing beside a brush-and-log fence in a clearing, when we noticed the rocking song-flight of a male Black-chin. The bird first towered to a height of forty feet, or such a matter, with loudly buzzing wing, then descended noisily in a great loop, passing under a certain projecting branch in the fence, and emitting along the lower segment of his great semicircle a low, musical, murmuring sound of considerable beauty. This note, inasmuch as we stood near one end of the fairy lover’s course, was raised in pitch a musical third upon each return journey. Back and forth the ardent hero passed, until he tired at length and darted off to tap a Canada lily for nourishment, or the pretense of it. Then he perched on a twig at ten feet and submitted to a most admiring inspection.

The Hummer’s back, well up on the neck, was of a dull green shade, the wings were dusky, and the head dusky, shading into the deep velvety brownish black of the throat. There was no lustrous sheen of the gorget in the dull light, but on each side of the median line of the throat lay an irregular patch of metallic orange. The underparts were tinged with dusky and dull rufous; and these modest vestments completed the attire of a plain-colored but very dainty bird.

Upon the passionate resumption of his courting dance we ordered an investigation, and succeeded in finding “the woman in the case.” She rose timidly from the thicket at the very lowest point of the male’s song circuit, but at sight of us quickly took to the brush again.

The fairy’s nest is commonly saddled to an obliquely descending branch of willow, alder, cottonwood, or young orchard tree. It is a tiny tuft of vegetable down, bound together and lashed to its support by a wealth of spider-webbing. Unlike the nest of _colubris_, the nest of _alexandri_ is not decorated with lichens; and it not infrequently resembles some small fine sponge, not only in its yellow-brown tint, but in the elastic texture of its walls, which regain their shape after being lightly squeezed. The eggs, two in number (but sometimes three in this species alone), look like homeopathic pills—so dainty, indeed, that the owner herself must needs dart off the nest every now and then and hover at some distance to admire them. The male deserts his mate as soon as she is well established, and the entire care of the little family falls upon her shoulders. The young are fed by regurgitation, “a frightful looking act,” as Bradford Torrey says.

No. 153. RUFOUS HUMMER.

A. O. U. No. 433. Selasphorus rufus (Gmel.).

Synonyms.—Red-backed Hummingbird. Nootka Hummer.

Description.—_Adult male_: In general above and below bright rufous or cinnamon-red, changing to bronzy green on crown, fading to white on belly and on chest, where sharply contrasting with gorget; wing-quills purplish-dusky on tips; the central pair of tail-feathers broadened and broadly acuminate; the succeeding pair with a deep notch on the inner web and a slighter emargination on the outer web; gorget somewhat produced laterally, of close-set rounded metallic scales, shining coppery-red, fiery red, or (varying with individuals) rich ruby-red. Bill slender and straight. _Adult female_: Above rufous overlaid with bronzy green, clear rufous on rump and tail-coverts; pattern of tail as in male but less decided; central tail-feathers green tipped with black; lateral feathers chiefly rufous, changing to black subterminally, and tipped with white; underparts whitish, shaded with rufous on sides; gorget wanting or represented by a small central patch. _Young males_: Like adult female but more extensively rufous above and throat flecked with reddish metallic scales. _Young females_: Like adult female but rump green and throat flecked with greenish scales. Length of adult male about 3.50 (88.9); wing 1.65 (41.91); tail 1.30 (33); bill .65 (16.5). Female: 3.70 (94); wing 1.75 (44.5); tail 1.28 (32.5); bill .68 (17.3).

Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; abundant rufous of male distinctive; female requires careful discrimination from that of _S. alleni_ and may be known certainly from it by notching of next central tail-feather, and by outer tail-feather more than .10 wide.

Nesting.—_Nest_: Of plant down and fine mosses bound together with cobwebs, and ornamented with lichens, placed on horizontal or declining stem of bush or tree. _Eggs_: 2, pure white, elliptical oval. Av. size, .50 × .33 (12.7 × 8.3). _Season_: April 15-July 10; two broods.

General Range.—Western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, breeding south in mountainous regions to Arizona and north to Mount St. Elias and southwest Yukon Territory; south in winter over the tablelands of Mexico.

Range in Washington.—Common summer resident on the West-side from sea-level to timber-line; less common on the eastern slopes of the Cascades; rare in the mountains of eastern Washington.

Migrations.—_Spring_: March 15-April 15.

Authorities.—? _Trochilus rufus_, Aud. Orn. Biog. IV. 1838, 555, pl. 372. _Selasphorus rufus_ Swains, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, p. 135. T. C&S. L¹. Rh. D¹. Sr. Kb. Ra. Kk. J. B. E.

Specimens.—U. of W. P. Prov. B. BN. E.

These gaudily dressed little fellows, seemingly part and parcel of the sunshine itself, are by no means the delicate creations they appear to be. West of the Cascades they are, strange to say, among the very first of the spring arrivals from the South. The vanguard always arrives by the last week of March, and sometimes as early as the middle of that month. East of the Cascades they are considerably later, and are not found in nearly so large numbers. They are seldom to be seen in greatest abundance, however, much before the middle of April. At this season certain bushes flower in profusion, and in these flowers the hummers find unlimited food and drink,—honey, and the innumerable tiny insects which it attracts.

Wright Park, situated in the center of the city of Tacoma, has been very extensively planted with the decorative wild currant; and it is here that hummers may oftenest be seen in great numbers. It is not uncommon to see them by hundreds in this park, and often as many as twenty disport themselves in and around a single bush. They are the most pugnacious little creatures and are continually squabbling, the females being quite as quarrelsome as the males. Their war song is a penetrating squeak, or chirrup. The pausing of one of the birds to select some luscious insect from a cluster of flowers seems to be the signal for an onset from one or more of its fellows, when all squeak with greatest animation. One cannot help believing that this is more or less in the nature of play, for it is joined in by both the males and the females, and the one attacked never resents it in the least. Usually it describes a great circle in the air and descends into the center of some other bush, where it sits watching the others and occasionally preening its feathers. They are exceedingly tame at this season, and the bird-lover may seat himself under some flower-laden bush while these most beautiful little birds hover and perch within three or four feet of him.

What appears to be the only other vocal accomplishment of this hummer is a somewhat long-drawn, rasping note, very loud and harsh for so small a bird. This is made by the male, and, curiously enough, it is the love song uttered while wooing his mate. She perches quietly in the center of some small tree, apparently quite insensible to his frenzied actions. These consist in flying up to a very considerable height, and then dropping in a circular course to within a few feet of where she sits. It is on the downward course that he makes his declaration of love, and if it is done to arouse her he ought to be successful. Certainly it is a sound most startling to a human being, when it explodes unexpectedly within a few feet of his head.

It is almost unnecessary to say that the nesting habits of these little birds are of unusual interest. The male is a disgracefully idle fellow, never doing a stroke of work while the female is building the nest, and leaving her as soon as the eggs are laid. It seems that at least he might feed her while she sits so patiently upon her eggs; but no, he retires to some warm, sunny gulch and spends his time in selfish enjoyment.

Strange to say, the first nest-building occurs during the first week in April, at which season sleet and cold rains are of not infrequent occurrence. This is long before the majority of the species have arrived from the South, and it would lead one to think that the first comers are already paired when they arrive. A nest containing two fresh eggs was found on the 14th of April, the eggs hatching on the 26th. On this last date it was raining in torrents with a bitter cold wind, yet the tiny young did not seem to suffer in the least, altho frequently left for as long as fifteen or twenty minutes by their mother. Indeed it was a mystery where she could possibly have found anything to eat. This nest was saddled upon a twig a few feet above the ground amidst the sheltering branches of a huge cedar, thus protecting the young from any direct contact with the rain.

There is scarcely a conceivable situation, except directly on the ground, that these birds will not select for a nesting site. Such odd places have been chosen as a knot in a large rope that hung from the rafters of a woodshed; and again, amongst the wires of an electric light globe that was suspended in the front porch of a city residence. It may be found fifty feet up in some huge fir in the depths of the forest, or on the stem of some blackberry bush growing in a city lot.

Very often they form colonies during the nesting season, as many as twenty nests being built in a small area. Some large fir grove is generally chosen for the colony, but a most interesting one was located on a tiny island in Puget Sound. This island has had most of its large timber cut away, and is heavily overgrown with huckleberry, blackberry, and small alders. In the center is the colony, the nests placed only a few yards apart on any vine or bush that will serve the purpose. Huckleberry bushes seem the favorites, but many nests are built in the alders and on the blackberry vines.

The nesting season is greatly protracted, for fresh eggs may be found from April till July. This makes it seem probable that each pair raises at least two broods during the spring and summer. After incubation is somewhat advanced, the female is most courageous, often permitting herself to be lifted off the nest before its contents can be examined. At such times the bird student must be on his guard, as the little mother will often resent the intrusion, and her attack is always made at the eyes.

The eggs, so far as has ever been recorded, are invariably two in number. They are immaculate milky white in color; and when freshly laid the yolk makes them look like little pink moonstones, such as one finds on the beach. In shape they are elliptical, and seem large for so small a bird, measuring .50 × .33 inches.

The young are fed by regurgitation. For several days after hatching their bills are little longer than those of any other young bird; but by the time they leave the nest, their sword-like beaks are nearly as long as those of their parents.

J. H. Bowles.

No. 154. ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD.

A. O. U. No. 434. Selasphorus alleni Hensh.

Synonym.—Green-backed Rufous Hummingbird.

Description.—_Adult male_: Similar to adult male of _S. rufus_, but upperparts shining bronzy green (duller on crown); underparts, including belly, cinnamon-rufous, changing to white on chest only; tail-feathers without notching or emargination, the two outer pairs smaller and very narrow, the outermost acicular. _Adult female_: Very similar to adult male of _S. rufus_, but with tail as in male _S. alleni_. Length of adult male: 3.25 (82.6); wing 1.52 (38.6); tail 1.17 (29.7); bill .63 (16). Female a little larger.

Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; fiery gorget with _green_ back of male unmistakable; female indistinguishable out of hand from that of _S. rufus_; outermost tail-feathers less than .10 wide.

Nesting.—As in preceding.

General Range.—Pacific Coast district north to southwestern British Columbia, east, southerly, to Arizona; south in winter to Lower California and Sonora.

Range in Washington.—Imperfectly made out; at least summer resident and migrant west of the Cascades; not yet reported from the East-side.

Authorities.—Lawrence, Auk, Vol. IX. Jan. 1892, p. 44. L. Ra. Kb. B. E.

Specimens.—C. E.

It is the misfortune of certain well-deserving mortals to be known to fame as the husbands or brothers or cousins of some celebrity. Allen’s Hummer is the daintier, as he is the rarer, of the summer _Selasphori_ but we know him thus far only as a momentary vision. At each appearance we pause to assure ourselves that we really did see a Hummer with a green back _and_ a red gorget, for otherwise, we have been duped again by one of those tiresome female Rufouses.

Mr. R. H. Lawrence records the Allen Hummer as a summer resident of the Gray’s Harbor country, and says of it[63]: “Perhaps as common as _T. rufus_, and frequenting similar places. First noted in 1891 on the East Humptulips, April 30. I had a good view of one on Quiniault Lake June 13.”

Mr. Chas. A. Allen, of Nicasio, Cal., who discovered this species and in whose honor it was named, says of these birds[64]: “Their courage is beyond question; I once saw two of these little warriors start after a Western Red-tailed Hawk, and they attacked it so vigorously that the Hawk was glad to get out of their way. But these little scamps were even then not satisfied, but helped him along after he had decided to go. Each male seems to claim a particular range which he occupies for feeding and breeding purposes, and every other bird seen by him encroaching on his preserve is at once so determinedly set upon and harassed that he is only too glad to beat a hasty retreat. During their quarrels these birds keep up an incessant sharp chirping, and a harsh rasping buzzing with the wings, which sounds very different from the low soft humming they make with these while feeding. * * * During the mating and breeding season the male frequently shoots straight up into the air and nearly out of sight, only to turn suddenly and rush headlong down until within a few feet of the ground. The wings during the downward rushes cut the air and cause a sharp, whistling screech, as they descend with frightful velocity, and should they strike anything in their downward course, I believe they would be instantly killed.”

No. 155. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD.

A. O. U. No. 436. Stellula calliope Gould.

Synonyms.—Calliope Hummer. Star Hummer.

Description.—_Adult male_: Upperparts golden-green; tail chiefly dusky, rufous at base, paler on tips, slightly double-rounded, its feathers broadening distally and nearly round at tips; sides of throat and underparts white, washed with greenish and brownish on sides; gorget somewhat produced laterally, of lengthened acuminate feathers having white bases, rose-purple, or violet, with lilac reflections. Bill straight, black above, yellowish below. _Adult female_: Coloration of upperparts, save tail, as in male; central tail-feathers green tipped with dusky; remaining rectrices greenish gray mingled with rufous basally, crossed with black, and tipped with white. _Young birds_ resemble adult female but are heavily washed with rufous below and have throat more or less specked with dusky. Length of adult male: 2.75-3.00 (69.9-76.2); wing 1.55 (39.4); tail 1.00 (25.4); bill .57 (14.5). Female much larger—up to 3.50 (88.9).

Recognition Marks.—Pygmy size; the smallest of the northern ranging species; gorget of male with _radiating_ feathers of rose-purple hue distinctive, but female hard to discriminate afield.

Nesting.—Much as in other species. Av. size of _Eggs_: .47 × .30 (11.9 × 7.6). _Season_: June or July according to altitude; one brood.

General Range.—Breeding in the mountains of the West, north to central British Columbia; south in winter to the mountains of Mexico.

Range in Washington.—Summer resident, chiefly in Transition and Canadian zones, east of the Cascades, and in these mountains to the limit of trees. Mr. Lawrence’s record remains unique for the West-side, but the bird probably breeds in the Olympics also.

Authorities.—? Lawrence, Auk, Vol. IX. Jan. 1892, p.44. Bendire, Life Hist. N. A. Birds, Vol. II. 1895, p.219. L¹. D². J. B.

Specimens.—P¹. C.

Ornithologists have been hard put to it to provide names for these most exquisite of birds, the Hummers. The realms of callilithology, chromatics, esthetics, astronomy, history, classical mythology, and a score beside, have been laid under tribute to secure such fanciful and high-sounding titles as the Fiery Topaz, Ruby-and-Topaz, Allied Emerald, Red-throated Sapphire, Sparkling-tail, White-booted Racket-tail, Fork-tailed Rainbow, the Sappho Comet, the Circe, Rivoli and Lucifer Hummers, the Adorable Coquette, and, last but not least, the truly Marvelous Hummingbird (_Loddigesia mirabilis_). What wonder, then, that with so many children to provide for, Gould, the great monographer of the _Trochilidæ_, should have named this nearly silent but always beautiful species after the muse of eloquence, Calliope?

While it is true that the species may be found in abundance thruout the higher Cascades, and especially along their eastern slopes, it is hardly just to say with Bendire, that “the Calliope Hummingbird is a mountain-loving species and during the breeding season is rarely met with below altitudes of 4,000 feet, and much more frequently between 6,500 to 8,000 feet.”[65] We have found it commonly in the northern and eastern portions of Washington at much lower altitudes, and have taken its nest in the burning gorge of the Columbia at an altitude of only six hundred feet. In the mountains the bird knows no restriction of range, save that it avoids the heavily timbered slopes of the West-side; and it is at least as common along the divide as is the Rufous Hummer.

Without doubt the mind remembers longest those birds which visit the mountain heather beds, gorgeous with flowers, and varied beyond description. A bit of heather on Wright’s Peak at an elevation of 8,000 feet, yielded thirty-two species of plants in conspicuous bloom within a stone’s throw of camp. The Hummers appear to be attracted to the flower beds by color and position rather than by scent, and as sure as we neglected to rise with the sun, a troop of puzzled honey-hunters hovered by turns over our parti-colored blankets. Once a Hummer minutely inspected a red bandana handkerchief which graced the bird-man’s neck; and once, I regret to say it, fluttered for some moments before his nose (sunburned!).