The Ruby-crowned Kinglet has something of the nervousness and vivacity 

 of the typical wren. It moves restlessly from twig to twig, flirting its wings 

 with a motion too quick for the eye to follow, and frequently uttering a titter 

 of alarm, chit-tit or chit-it-it. During migrations the birds swarm through the 

 tree-tops like warblers, but" are oftener found singly or in small companies in 

 thickets or open clusters of saplings. In such situations they exhibit more or 

 less curiosity, and if one keeps reasonably still he is almost sure to be inspected 

 from a distance not exceeding four or five feet. It is here, too, that the males 

 are found singing in the spring. The bird often begins sotto voce with two or 

 three high squeaks, as though trying to get the pitch down to the range of mortal 

 ears before he gives his full voice. The core of the song is something like tew, 

 tew, tew, tew, sweet to eat, sweet-oo eat," the last phrases being given with a 

 rising inflection, and with an accent of ravishing sweetness. The tones are so 

 pure that they may readily be whistled by the human listener, and a musical 

 contest provoked in which one is glad to come out second best. 



I once saw a kinglet in a royal mood. A young ruby-crowned was caroling, 

 and quite prettily, in the lower branches of an old oak tree hard by. I was 

 watching him closely to see if I might catch a glint of red, when up darted an 

 older rival and flashed a jewel so dazzling as to fairly smite the eye. The young- 

 ling felt the rebuke keenly, and retired in great confusion. It seems that when 

 the bird is angry it has the power of erecting its crest and so unveiling the full 

 glory of the ruby crown. 



Audubon's Warbler (Dendroica auduhonl) 



Length, about 5 inches. Much like the yellow-rump but with yellow crown 

 and throat patch. 



Range: Breeds from central British Columbia, Alberta and southwestern 

 Saskatchewan to our southern border, east to South Dakota and Nebraska ; win- 

 ters from California and Texas, south to Guatemala. 



America is particularly favored by the presence of the beautiful wood warbler 

 family, the members of which are excelled by few birds in symmetry of form, 

 pleasing coloration and graceful motions. They are also of highly beneficial 

 habits. No member of the wood warbler family is more characteristic of the 

 group than this beautiful bird. In voice, coloration, and habits it is almost the 

 counterpart of the yellow-rump of the eastern states, for which indeed it might 

 easily be mistaken were it not for its yellow throat, the corresponding area in 

 the yellow-rump being white. It summers in the mountains and shows oflf to 

 advantage against the dark foliage of the pines. It seems to have little fear of 

 man and in winter frequents orchards, gardens, and dooryards. Wherever it 

 may be it keeps up an incessant hunt for its insect food, in the pursuit of which, 

 like many others of its family, it sometimes essays the role of flycatcher, being 

 very expert and nimble on the wing. This warbler also devours large numbers 

 of ants, flies, scale and plant lice, and various noxious beetles and bugs. 



199 



