Ruby-throated Humming-bird (Trochilus Colubris), John Gould Although every species of Humming-bird inhabits either the great continent of America or the islands immediately adjacent, the subject of the present memoir is the only one usually seen in a state of nature by those travellers who wend their way across the Atlantic to the western world. This illustration has been restored to its original vibrancy by enhancing colors and removing unwanted marks. A monograph of the Trochilidæ, or family of humming-birds was published between 1849 and 1887 by English ornithologist John Gould. This monumental work depicts and describes all the known species of hummingbirds at the time - comprising 418 lithographic plates and information on 537 species."