II. IJ. Minot says, "In aiilumn and winter tlicir only note is a fccljlc lisj*. In 

 spring, besides occasionally uttcrinjj an indcscrikihle querulous sound, and a harsh, 

 'gratinj^' note, which belongs exclusively to that season, the Ruby-crowned wrens 

 sing extremely well and louder than such small birds seem cajiable of singing. 

 Their song begins with a few clear whistles, followed by a short, very sweet, and 

 complicated warble, and ending with notes like the syllables tu-we-we, tu-we-we. 

 tu-we-we. These latter are often repeated separately, as if the birds had no time 

 for a prelude, or arc sometimes prefacc<l by merely a few rather shrill notes w ith 

 a rising inflection." 



Messrs. Baird. Brewer and Ridgu.iv -as that "The song f)f this bird is by 

 far the most remarkable of its specific peculiarities,'' and Mr. Chapman declares, 

 "Taking the small size of the bird into consideration, the Ruby-crown's song is 

 one of the most marvellous vocal performances among birds ; being not only 

 surpassingly sweet, varied and sustained, but pos.scsscd of sufficient volume to be 

 heard at a distance of twf) hundred yards. Fortunately he sings both on the spring 

 and fall migrations." 



Mrs. Wright describes the call-note as "Thin and metallic, like a vibrating 

 wire." and quotes Mr. Xehrling. who speaks of the "Power, purity and volume 

 of the notes, their faultless modulation and long continuance." 



Mr. Robert Ridgway wrote that this little king of song was one of our very 

 smallest birds he also "ranks among the sweetest singers of the country. It is 

 wonderfully powerful for one so small, but it is remarkable for its softness anrl 

 sweet expression more than for other qualities. It consists of an inexpressibly 

 delicate and musical warble, astonishingly protracted at times, and most beauti- 

 fully varied by softly rising and falling cadences, and the most tender whistlings 

 imaginable." 



Mr. Ridgway quotes from Dr. Brewer: '"The notes arc clear, resonant and 

 high, and constitute a prolonged series, varying from the lowest tones to the 

 highest, and terminating with the latter. It may be heard at quite a distance, and 

 in some re^^pects bears more resemblance to the song of the English skylark than 

 to that of the canary, to which Mr. Audubon compares it." Mr. Ridgway con- 

 tinues: "We have never heard the skylark sing, but there is certainly no resem- 

 blance between the notes of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and those of the canary, 

 the latter being as inferior in tenderness and softness as they excel in loudness." 



Mr. Audubon had stated: "When I tell you that its song is fully as sonorous 

 as that of the canary-bird, and much richer. I do not come up to the truth, for it 

 is not only as powerful and clear, but much more varied and pleasing to the ear.' 



While the frequent sacrifice of the adult regulus and regina through their 

 reckless absorption in their own affairs and obliviousness to the presence of ene- 

 mies, lends color to the statement that "The spirits of the martyrs will be lodged 

 in the crops of green birds." yet by virtue of a talent other than vocal, they compel 

 few of the human family to echo the remorseful lament of John Halifax. 

 Gentleman, 



837 



