TROCHILUS ALEXANDRI.
Purple-throated Humming-bird.
Trochilus Alexandri, Bourc. et Muls. Ann. de la Soc. Sei. de Lyon, tom. ix. 1846, p. 330.—
Cassin, 111. Birds of California, p. 141. pi. 22.
Mellimga Alexandri, Gray and Mitch. Gen. o f Birds, vol. i. p. 113, Mellisuga, sp. 80.
Archilochus Alexandri, Reich. Aufz. der Col., p. 13.
Trochilus alexandri, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 256.
T h e native countries of this modestly-coloured, but pretty species of Trochilus are Mexico, California and
Texas, and it will be seen from the following note by Mr. Cassin, that the United States also lays claim to it as
part of its fauna. It was through the exertions of the late Signor Floresi, that most, if not all the specimens
which now adorn the collections of Europe have been procured, all of which were obtained in the table-lands
in the vicinity of the celebrated Real del Monte Mines; but that it extends its range over a vast area
northward of the city of Mexico, in all such localities as are favourable to its existence, is more than
probable. In its structure and in the disposition of its markings it is precisely similar to the T. Colubris,
from which, however, it is specifically distinct, as will be immediately seen on an examination and comparison
of the Plates of the two species.
Since the publication of Mr. Cassin’s figure in his “ Birds of California,” a doubt has been expressed by
Prince Charles L. Bonaparte as to whether the bird there represented be not distinct from that found in
Mexico, and, believing this to be the case, he has proposed the name of Cassini for it,—a term, however,
which I have not yet seen in print. The propriety of this step was one of the points in connexion with
this group of birds which it became incumbent upon me to investigate during my recent visit to the United
States, and I can state that, upon comparing Dr. Heermann’s birds, from which Mr. Cassin s description and
figure were taken, with others from Mexico, no difference whatever was observable; I regret to have to
add, that my friend Cassin’s Plate gives a very indifferent representation of the bird, and as the Prince had
this’ Plate only, from which to form an opinion respecting the Californian specimens, he may be readily
excused for considering them to be distinct from those from Mexico.
Within the limits of the United States,” says Mr. Cassin, | the Humming-bird now before the reader
has been noticed only by Dr. Heermann, whose fine collection, made in California, contained numerous
specimens He detected it in one locality only,—the burying-ground at Sacramento City. There several
pairs remained during the season of incubation, and reared their young, finding suitable food and protection
among the flowering plants with which, with great feeling and propriety, that last resting-place of the
emigrant and stranger has been adorned. , r
“ Dr. H e e rm an n represents the nest as composed of fine mosses, lined with the feathery down of various
“ r h e f e t r 7 t i S ^ e e C l i k f 14 e t a T o f T. Colulm, differs very considerably from the male in the
t 0 T h i ! ’ a n d M u l s a n t ’ in h o n o u r o f D r - A le x a n d r e o f M e x ic 0 >
by whom it was first discovered.
The male has the head
t e C ' b o t i d bdow^Tband of rich metallic purple; across the breast a band of greyish-white; under
s u r f a c e d u l l bronzyOT^ bdl and ^ ^ ^ p„ pUsh-brown; central tail-feathers
brlmzy-green; the lateral ones gr’ey 1 the base, then black, and lastly tipped with white; under surfiice
size. The plant is the