CHAPTER X 



PEEPERS AND CREEPERS 

 THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET 



" We have been looking at some of the larger song 

 birds ; now try the sharpness of your eyes by finding a 

 tiny little fellow — a veritable midget, who belongs to 

 the guild of Tree Trappers. He is usually intent upon 

 his work, continually hopping and peeping among little 

 branches and twigs, and thinks it would be time wasted 

 if he stayed still long enough to give you a chance to 

 look at him. He is so small that there are very few 

 North American birds to compare with him in little- 

 ness. The Hummingbird is smaller still, and the Win- 

 ter Wren measures no more, only he is chunkier. But 

 what of that ? This Kinglet is as hardy and vigorous 

 as the biggest Hawk or Owl. His body is padded 

 with a thick feather overcoat that enables him to stay 

 all winter, if he chooses, in all but the most northern 

 States. 



" Small as he is, however, every one knows him, for 

 he disports himself at some time of the year in the 

 North, South, East, and West. If you see a tiny bird, 

 darting quick as a mouse in and out among the budded 

 twigs of fruit trees in early spring, now and then show- 

 ing a black stripe and a little gleam of red or yellow 



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