The members of this genus as now restricted are only two in number—T. Colubris and T. Alexandria. Both these birds are of moderate size and of elegant proportions. The males are decorated with richly-coloured gorgets, while the females are clothed in a sombre livery.
Trochilus Colubris (Linn.)
Habitat: The eastern part of North America in summer; Mexico and Guatemala in winter, at which season it is also occasionally found in Cuba, and sometimes in Bermuda
Plate 131
Trochilus Colubris
Ruby-throated Humming-bird
I have observed that specimens from Guatemala are smaller and lighter-coloured than those obtained in North America. In all probability these constitute a race which does not migrate so far north as the United States. It is probable, also, that the birds frequenting the latter country do not go further south than Mexico.
“This species,” say Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, “would appear to be abundant in the winter months in Guatemala, as numerous examples were obtained by Mr. Skinner. It occurs at Acatenango, a village on the southern slope of the great Cordillera, showing that it chooses for its winter retreat the moderate climate afforded by the region lying between the elevations of 3000 and 4000 feet.”—Ibis, vol. i. 1859, p. 129.
Trochilus Alexandri (Bourc. et Muls)
Habitat: Northern Mexico and California. Found by Dr. Heermann at Sacramento city, within the limits of the United States
Plate 132
Trochilus Alexandri
Purple-throated Humming-bird
Featuring all 422 illustrated species from John Gould’s A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-Birds arranged by color.
Humming-Birds