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 × .40. 427. BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cyanolæmus clemenciæ._ 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 × .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 the limb. The two white eggs are laid in May or June; size .50 × .35. 429. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus alexandri._ Range.--North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Columbia; winters south of the United States. Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and upper throat black, the rest of the throat gorget being violet or amethyst. It is an abundant species in summer in many localities, especially in the southern half of its range. They build their nests at low elevations, rarely above ten feet, on small branches or the fork at the end of a limb. The nests are made of yellowish plant fibres and are not covered with lichens, so that they have a peculiar spongy appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the Ruby-throat. Laid during April, May or June. [Illustration 275: Ruby-throated Hummingbird.] [Illustration:] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 274 [Illustration 276: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.] Page 275