464 KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, ETC. 



color. Length : 3.15-4.55, wing- 2.10-2.25, tail 1.60-2.00, exposed culmen 

 .25-.30. 



Distribution. — North America generally, breeding in Boreal zone forests 

 of the northern parts of the United States northward; migrating to 

 Guatemala. 



Nest. — A ball-like mass of green moss attached to end of branch in 

 pine or fir ; hned with hair and feathers. Eggs : 5 to 10, white or buffy, 

 faintly specked, chiefly around larger end, with deeper buffy. 



748a. R. S. olivaceus Baird. Western Golden-crowned 

 Kinglet. 



Similar to satrapa, but brighter, crown colors sharper, upper parts 

 greener, and under parts more washed with buffy brown. 



Distribution. — Pacific coast region of North America from California 

 northward ; migrates to Guatemala. 



In the high Sierra one of the notes that you hear most frequently 

 from the impenetrable tops of the highest firs comes apparently 

 from this bit of a kinglet ; and as you crane your neck and strain 

 your eyes day after day and week after week in riding under the 

 trees in the vain attempt to see him do it, the rolling notes shape 

 themselves ungrammatically to your aggravated query, who-he'-you f 

 who-he'-you f wlio-he -you ? The call-note of the little fellow seems to 

 be a thin ti-ti, quite different from the chatter of the ruby -crowned 

 kinglet. 



749. Regulus calendula (Linn.). Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 

 Adult male. — Crown patch bright red ; upper parts grayish, brightening 

 to greenish on rump, and with greenish yellow edges to 

 feathers ; wings with two narrow whitish bands ; under parts 

 dingy whitish. Adult female and young : similar, but with- 

 out crown patch. Length: 3.75-4.60, wing 2.20-2.30, tail 

 Fig. 590. 1.85-1.90. bUl from nostril .20-.22. 



Distribution. — North America from the arctic coast to Guatemala ; 

 breeds in Boreal zone chiefly north of the United States, and in the Rocky 

 Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and mountains of Arizona ; migrates to Guate- 

 mala. 



Nest. — Semi-pensile, bulky, made of shreds of bark, feathers, and 

 gi-een moss, lined with hair and feathers ; attached to end of pine or 

 spruce branch, or placed in the top of a small tree, 10 to 20 feet from the 

 ground. Eggs : 5 to 9, whitish or buffy, faintly spotted, chiefly around 

 larger end, with light brown (sometimes nearly plain). 



The scolding chatter of the ruby-crowned kinglet with the plump 

 little figure's lift of the wing, however far overhead, always tells an 

 unmistakable tale. The cheery, busy little chap brings his own wel- 

 come in the timber, chatting sociably as he hunts with microscopic 

 care over the twigs and flutters hummingbird-fashion under the 

 green sprays ; but when he sings yon regard him with a new feel- 

 ing of wondering admiration, — such a volume of song and such a 

 well-modulated, liquid, ringing melody 1 



