No other fairy did I see
So graceful, pulsing, in the air,
As if the heart of nature beat
Its throbbings in the birdlet there.
The gray, the green, the dash of red,
The beating wings that gauzy seem—
So rapid the vibrating hum—
I almost dream were but a dream.
Then suddenly I cry aloud,
When in a rapid-shooting ray,
My fairy disappears, a-flash,
Into the sun-haunts far away.
Willis Edwin Hurd.
[Illustration: RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.
(Selasphorus rufus.)
Life-size.
FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES.]
THE RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.
(_Selasphorus rufus._)
This hardy little “Hummer,” which is even smaller than our well-known
ruby-throated hummingbird, is weighted with a number of popular names.
Among these are the “Rufous-backed Hummingbird,” the “Ruff-necked
Honeysucker, or Hummingbird,” the “Rufous Flame-bearer” and the
“Cinnamon Hummer.”
The Rufous is probably the most widely distributed of all the
hummingbirds. Its range extends throughout Western North America. It
breeds from the higher mountains of Southern California northward, near
the coast to Nootka Sound, Alaska. In its migrations it flies eastward
to Montana, Colorado and thence southward through New Mexico to Western
Texas. In fact, during this period it frequents the eastern slopes of
the Rocky Mountains, adding beauty to this wild region. Its winter home
is chiefly in Mexico and Lower California.
This Hummingbird is exceedingly pugnacious and, as Mr. Henshaw says,
“The fiery red throat of the Rufous-backed Hummer is an index of
impetuous, aggressive disposition, and when brought into conflict with
the other species it invariably asserts its supremacy and drives its
rival in utter rout from the field. Nor do the males of this species
confine their warfare to their own sex. Gallantry has no place
apparently in their breasts, and when conquest has put them in
possession of a perch near a clump of flowers they wage war on all
comers, females as well as males.”
The Rufous Hummer is one of the earliest of the migratory birds to leave
its winter home, and arrives within the borders of the United States
early in March and is known to begin housekeeping as far North as the
State of Oregon early in April. Altitude as well as climate seems to
have much influence in the selection of a nesting sight. The altitude of
the breeding range seems to lie between four and seven thousand feet
above the sea level, and nests have been reported as high as ten
thousand feet.
Mr. A. W. Anthony, writing of this species as he observed it in Oregon,
says that “they nested to some extent in oaks, blackberry vines and on
dry roots projecting from upturned trees. One nest hung from the end of
a tall fern, while others, drooping over it from above, hid the
beautiful structure from all but accidental discovery. Their favorite
sites, however, seemed to be the long, trailing vines overhanging
embankments and upturned trees. A number were found in railroad cuts.
One nest was found that had been placed on top of a last year’s
habitation, a mere rim being built to raise the sides, and a flooring
being added to cover up a large pebble that could be plainly felt under
the cotton lining.” This habit of adding stories to nests of the
previous season is not infrequent with other species of the
hummingbirds.
The nest of the Rufous Hummingbird resembles those of many other species
of hummers, and it is very much like that of the Anna’s hummingbird. The
framework is composed of delicate tree mosses and fine bark fiber, the
outer face of which is sometimes adorned with lichens, though not so
profusely as is that of the Anna’s, and fastened together with spider’s
webs and the silky threads from cocoons. It is lined with the fine
cotton down of plants, especially that of the willow, and the pappus of
the Compositae. These nests seem large when compared with the size of
the bird. The average nest measures about one and one-half inches in the
outer diameter and one and one-fourth inches in depth. “Their nesting
sites may be looked for in low bushes as well as on the horizontal limbs
of trees at various distances from the ground.” When compared with other
species of the family this species is quite noisy, especially when it
sees a broad-tailed hummer in the neighborhood. For this species it
exhibits an intense animosity and will pursue it, uttering shrill and
expressively angry notes.