THE WARBLERS. 77 



*8p. CHAB. Above dark greenish-olive, passing Into bright olive green on the rurcp 

 and outer edges of the wings and tail. The under parts are grayish white tinged with 

 pale olive yellow, especially behind. A ring round the eye, two bands on tne wing-cov- 

 erts, and the exterior of the inner tertials white. Male. Crown with a large concealed 

 patch of scarlet feathers, which are white at the base. Female and young without the 

 red on the crown. Length, 4.50, wing. 2.33; tail, 1.85. 



"This species of Regulus appears to lack the small feather which 

 in satrapa overlies and conceals the nostrils, which was probably 

 the reason with Cabanis and Blyth for placing it in a different 

 genus. There is no other very apparent difference of form, how- 

 ever, although this furnishes a good character for distinguishing 

 between young specimens of the two species.'' (Hist. N. Am,. B.) 



The diminutive Euby-crowned Kinglet is scarcely known in the 

 United States except as a transient visitor in spring and fall, mak- 

 ing himself more conspicuous in the former season, when the fruit- 

 trees are decked with blossoms, among which he may be seen en- 

 gaged in the occupation of snatching from the half opened buds and 

 the unfolding leaves the minute insects which constitute his food. 

 His summer home is among the northern coniferous forests, and he 

 winters in the milder regions of the more southern States. 



The song of this bird is comparatively powerful for so small a 

 creature, and is remarkable for its softness and sweet expression. 

 It consists of an inexpressibly delicate and musical warble, aston- 

 ishingly protracted at times, and most beautifully varied by softly 

 rising and falling cadences, and the most tender whistlings imagina- 

 ble. Dr. Brewer says that its notes are "clear, resonant, and high, 

 and constitute a prolonged series, varying from the lowest tones to 

 the highest, and terminating with the latter. It may be heard at 

 quite a distance, and in some respects bears more resemblance to 

 the song of the English Sky-lark than to that of the Canary, to 

 which Mr. Audubon compares it." We have never heard the Sky- 

 lark sing; but there is certainly no resemblance between the notes 

 of the Ruby-crowned Wren and those of the Canary, the latter be- 

 ing as much inferior in tenderness and softness as they are super- 

 ior in volume. 



