214 



Subfamily — ReguUnce. Kinglets. L, 4 '07-4- 4^- 



General Description. The Kinglets are the smallest of Canadian birds except the 

 Hummingbird. They are wren-like in their short round body but more like Chickadees in 

 habits and actions. Their colours are dull olive-green, lighter below, and they have s lall, 

 briUiantly coloiu-ed crown spots of red, orange, or yellow. The bill is small and 

 straight, similar to but not as stout as that of the Chickadee (see Figure 67, page 29). 



Distinctions. The Kinglets might be mistaken for some of the dull, evenly coloured 

 warblers, but as all plumages except the female and juvenile Ruby-crowned have brilliant 

 crown patches, this will usually preveat confusion and size should do so in any event. 



Field Marks. Dall greenish coloration, chickaiee-like restlessness, and custom of 

 hanging head downward from pendant sprays are characteristic. Their fine, sharp con- 

 versational tsee-tsee-tsec' s soon become familiar and are easily recognized. 



748. Golden-crowned Kinglet, golden-crowned wren. fr. — le roitelet 

 Huppfi. Regulus satrapa. L, 4-07. Plate XLVIl B. 



Distinctions. Kinglets, so nearly ahke in general coloration, can be easily separated 

 by their crowns. The Golden-crowned has a black line over the eye that is absent in the 

 Ruby-crowned and the crown spot is orange and yellow in the male or plain yellow in the 

 female instead of ruby-red or even olive as in the Ruby-crowned. 



Field Marks. The crown coloration and light eyebrow make the best field marks 

 but, owing to the small size of the bird, considerable patience is sometimes necessary to 

 distinguish these marks when the birds are constantly moving about high overhead in con- 

 iferous trees. 



Nesting. Generally in coniferous trees. Pensile nest of green mosses lined with fine 

 strips of soft inner bark, fine black rootlets, and feathers. 



Distribution. As a species, northern North America. The Eastern Golden-crown 

 ranges west to near the mountains, breeding in the coniferous belt north beyond settlement. 



SUBSPECIES. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is divided into an eastern and western 

 subspecies. The Eastern Golden-crown^ the type form, is the only one that occurs in 

 eastern Canada. 



One often finds himself surrounded by a large flock of these little 

 birds flitting in and out of dense foliage, darting hither and thither, utterly 

 indifferent to the intruder's presence, and coming and going so quickly 

 that it is difficult to note the specific characters. Some hang head down- 

 ward from a swaying bunch of twigs and others work in and out on 

 the branches and twigs, keeping up a continual interchange of fine sharp 

 tsee tsee tsee. 



The Golden-crown remains in southern Canada most if not all the 

 winter. It is partial to evergreen trees and often frequents the ornamental 

 conifers about the house and in towns. It is fearless and trusting but 

 unlike the Chickadee seldom becomes familiar. 



Economic Status. The Kinglets are so largely insectivorous that 

 they, can be looked upon as most beneficial. They are small but their 

 numbers, when they occur, more than make up for their small size and 

 what is said of the Chickadee in this respect applies equally well to 

 them. 



749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, ruby-crowned wren. fr. — le roitelet X 

 couronne rubis. Regulus calendula. L, 4-41. Plate XLVII B. 



Distinctions. The Ruby-crowned is likely to be mistaken only for the previous species 

 but the lack of black stripes on the head is always diagnostic. 



Field Marks. In the quick movement of the lively flocks and the deep shadows of 

 dense conifers it is sometimes difficult to catch the distinctive head marks of the Kinglets. 

 It will be noted, however, that the Ruby-crowned has a habit of fluttering its wings occa- 

 sionally, in a few short quick vibrations, during momentary pauses while hopping about 

 without flying. This will often suggest the species though it cannot be regarded as a 

 certain proof of identity. 



