WESTERN BIRDS Kinglet^Gnatcatchers 



often there are several in a neighborhood all busy at 

 work. One need but watch them five minutes to be con- 

 vinced that they are helping rid the trees of tiny insects, 

 eggs, etc., which would be overlooked by a larger bird. 



GENUS REGULUS : SITKA KINGLET. 



Sitka Kinglet: Regulus calendula grinnelli. 



FAMILY— KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS. 



On the Pacific Coast from Alaska to the middle of 

 California is found a bird known as the Sitka Kinglet, 

 also Alaskan, and Grinnell's. It is similar to the Ruby- 

 crowned, but is smaller and the plumage is much darker, 

 the upper parts being sooty-olive with sides of crown 

 and dark of wings almost black; under parts dusky 

 gray. The birds do not breed in the United States, and 

 are the only form found in the winter-time in Wash- 

 ington. 



GENUS POLIOPTILA. 



SUBFAMILY— POLIOPTILINiE: GNAT- 

 CATCHERS. 



The Gnatcatchers are among our daintiest and most 

 useful birds. They are less than five inches long and 

 the tail is about half the length of entire body. The 

 name, gnat catcher, is a misnomer, since the birds like 

 tiny green worms, millers, and many other insects. Eco- 

 nomically, they are entirely beneficial and should be 

 protected wherever found. They have been called very 

 natty little birds and, indeed, they are, their plumage 

 being trim and well kept, their long, slender bodies 

 accentuating their appearance. They are restless mid- 

 gets, being seldom quiet a minute; flying from one low 



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