

6 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



The delicate little Golden-crowned Kinglet smaller even than the 

 Ruby-crown is known in Illinois, and indeed in all portions of the 

 United States, except the northern coniferous woods and similar 

 forests of the higher mountains, only as a winter visitant or resi- 

 dent. He is most often seen during clear frosty mornings in mid- 

 winter, and seems particularly in his element when the trees are 

 decked with an icy covering of sleet when the woods appear like 

 fairy land, and the pure crisp air instills fresh vigor to those who 

 sally forth to enjoy its exhiliarating influence. Then the little 

 Gold-crests may be seen in woods or parks in scattered troops, nim- 

 bly hunting among the crystal branches, now hanging in Titmouse 

 fashion, then dropping to another limb, and carelessly hopping 

 about, apparently not feeling the contact of the ice with their tiny 

 feet. At such times none of our birds are tamer than these dainty 

 little creatures and none certainly more lovely. They come about 

 the intruder as if utterly unmindful of his presence, often so near 

 that the sparkle of the little black eye, the flash of the glowing 

 orange crown, and every detail of his pretty plumage can be 

 plainly seen. 



In its northern summer home, the Gold-crest is said to have an 

 agreeable though delicate song, far inferior, however, to that of the 

 Ruby-crown. In winter, its usual note is a delicate wiry chirp, im- 

 possible to express in writing, but nearly if not quite undistinguisha- 

 ble from the ordinary note of the Brown Creeper. 



According to Mr. Coale, it is a "very common migrant" in Cook 

 county. " Ever active and uttering a te-tze, tze-tze as they fly into 

 every nook and corner of the foliage of trees." 



Regulus calendula (Linn.) 



BUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 



Popular synonym. -Ruby-crowned Wren. 



Motacilla calendula LINN. N. N. ed. 12, i. 176fi, 337. 



Sylvia calendula LATH. Ind. Orn. ii. 1780, 549. WILS. Am. Orn. i. 1808, 83, pi. 5, fig. 3. 

 Regulus calendula LIGHT. Verz. Doubl. 1823. NUTT. Man. i. 1832, 415. AUD. Orn. Biog. 

 ii. 1834, 546, pi. 195: Synop. 1839. 83; B. Am. ii. 1841. 168. pi. 133. BAIHD. B. N. Am. 1858, 

 226; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 101; Review. 1864. 66. COUES. Key. 1872, 78; Check List, 

 1873, No. 21; 2d ed. 1882, No. 34; B. N. W. 1874. 15; B. Col. Val. 1878, 93 B. B. & R. Hist. 

 N. Am. B. i, 1874, 75, pi. 5, flg. 9. RTDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 30. 



HAB. The whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States, but 

 south to Colorado, at least, in the Rocky Mountains; wintering in the more southern United 

 States, and thence to Mexico and Gautemala. (Accidental in Europe and Greenland.) 



