EASTERN RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 401 



Aretas A. Saunders tells me that, in Montana, the ruby-crowned 

 kinglet is confined to the forests of Douglas fir, while the golden- 

 crowned kinglet inhabits the spruce forests. 



Spring. — The spring migration of the ruby-crowned is more con- 

 spicuous than that of the golden-crowned kinglet. It has much 

 farther to go, as it winters farther south and breeds farther north. It 

 sings on migration, not the full, rich song that one hears on its northern 

 breeding grounds, but pleasing enough to attract attention. It 

 travels singly or in small groups, sometimes as many as 20 or more, 

 and is often associated with migrating warblers. Throughout most of 

 the United States it occurs mainly as a migrant in spring and fall. In 

 Massachusetts it passes through in April and the first half of May. 

 Then we need not look for it in coniferous woods only, for it is likely 

 to be found almost anywhere; its favorite haunts are the swampy 

 thickets along streams, or around ponds or bogs; but it is sometimes 

 seen in the trees and shrubbery about our houses and gardens; and 

 when we see it pouring out its charming song among the apple blossoms 

 in the orchard, then we enjoy one of the greatest delights of the spring 

 migration. 



In Ohio the first arrivals come early in April, but Milton B. Traut- 

 man (1940) says that, at Buckeye Lake, "the species remained un- 

 common until mid-April, when the numbers rapidly increased, and 

 from April 20 to May 10 the greatest daily numbers, 15 to 40, were 

 attained. As many as 60 a day were noted during large flights. The 

 last transients were seen between May 14 and 18. * * * As with 

 the Golden-crowned Kinglet, this species chiefly inhabited woodlands, 

 thickets, and brushy fence rows, and in such situations was found 

 most frequently where there were dense clumps of hawthorn, wild 

 plum, honey locust, and osage orange. The bird appeared to be less 

 numerous in this area than it was in other localities of similar size in 

 central Ohio; it was decidedly less numerous than it was in localities 

 which contained many conifers." 



Courtship. — This seems to consist mainly of the display between 

 rival males of the flaming red crest, which is usually partially con- 

 cealed or at least restricted by the surrounding dull feathers of the 

 crown, but which can be uncovered or perhaps erected in the ardor of 

 courtship or in the anger of combat. John Burroughs (Far and Near, 

 pp. 178-179) thus describes such rivalry between two males: "They 

 behaved exactly as if they were comparing crowns, and each extolling 

 his own. Their heads were bent forward, the red crown patch un- 

 covered and showing as a large, brilliant cap, their tails spread out, 

 and the side feathers below the wings were fluffed out. They did not 

 come to blows, but followed each other about amid the branches, 



