WESTERN RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 415 



Behavior.— Grinnell and Storer (1924) give such a good account of 

 the activities of this species that it is worth quoting here: 



Both of our kinglets are busy birds at all times, but the Ruby-crown shows 

 even more activity than does its relative. Its temperament is of the high-strung 

 or nervous sort, which keeps the bird constantly on the go — in decided contrast to 

 the phlegmatic behavior of, for instance, the Hutton Vireo. The kinglet has 

 relatively long legs, and standing up on these its body is kept well clear of any 

 perch so that the bird can hop or turn readily in any direction. Such twists and 

 jumps are often assisted by fluttering movements of the wings. Not infrequently 

 a Ruby-crowned Kinglet will poise on rapidly moving wings while it picks off an 

 insect from some leaf not to be reached from a foothold. In routine foraging the 

 bird moves through the foliage rapidly, peering this way and that as it goes, 

 spending but a moment in any one spot or pose. 



The Ruby-crowned Kinglet lacks the sociable attribute of the Golden-crown. 

 During the nesting season the pairs give close attention to the rearing of their 

 broods, but as soon as the young are able to live independently the families break 

 up and each individual takes up a separate existence. While in the foothill and 

 valley country, the Ruby-crowns are to be seen singly, each keeping to a particular 

 forage area and usually resisting approach by another of the same species. When 

 something excites one of their kind, however, other individuals are quick to gather 

 and all unite in a community of effort until the object of their concern has disap- 

 peared. Then each kinglet goes its way alone once more. * * * 



At about nine o'clock in the morning one of our party noticed a remarkable 

 assemblage of Ruby-crowned Kinglets about the foliage of a certain tree. Fifteen 

 or more of the birds were buzzing about as actively and excitedly as bees, and 

 each kinglet was uttering its "ratchet cr IP' with vigorous persistence. A couple 

 of Plain Titmouses joined the group while it was being watched. The cause of 

 the excitement became apparent when a pigmy owl flew out from the foliage of 

 the tree. As the owl made off the crowd of excited kinglets followed in his wake. 



In the nesting season Ruby-crowned Kinglets often give warning of the insidious 

 activities of Blue-fronted Jays. On one occasion, at Chinquapin, on June 14, 

 1915, one of our party followed up a kinglet which was giving its yer-rup, yer-rup, 

 over and over again in low but insistent tones. The cause of concern proved to 

 be a pair of silent jays one of which was shot — to the seeming satisfaction of the 

 kinglet, which immediately sang. 



The voice of the western bird seems to be similar to that of the 

 eastern race, with the same variations and with equal charm. It can 

 be recognized by the same field marks and by similar behavior and 

 voice as its eastern relative. Mr. Cogswell has sent me the following 

 note on this subject: 



"I find beginning students in field identification have difficulty 

 separating ruby-crowned kinglets from Hutton's vireos, unless a very 

 close view is obtained. To me, however, the chief distinguishing 

 feature is the much slenderer head and especially the thinner bill of 

 the rubycrown, as opposed to the thicker-billed, bull-headed appear- 

 ance of the Hutton's. Call notes are more positive yet, when one 

 knows them; the short, grating jzidit, or tchidit, of the kinglet is abso- 

 lutely distinctive. The wing-flitting habit of the kinglet, given by 



