I was recently looking through my book of Audubon watercolors and noticed this bird again. I decided to scan the plate using a more modern scanner than what I had back in the '90s. The image quality is limited by the printing process, but the outer primary of the bird is tolerably clear. To my eyes, the outer web of the outer primary still looks like it widens more than it would on a Ruby-throat. Hummingbird banders that can see the differences with their eyes closed would have a more valuable opinion than mine, of course. It would also help to see the original watercolor, which I don't guess I ever will...
Keep in mind that Audubon had a keen eye and mind for minor details, as evidenced by his observation of the rough wing on a Rough-winged Swallow. Also keep in mind the fact that this image is not a copy of an engraving, but of the original watercolor. In other words, this is a copy of the image that Audubon made by hand, not of a second generation product.
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