SYLVUD.E — KEGULUS. 33 



species are much brighter and more olivaceous above, especially on the rump 

 and tail, and names the race or variety, olivaccus. There are also some slight 

 diflerences in the pattern of coloration, represented in the two figures at the 

 head of this article. 



Regulus calendula, Linn^eus. 



THE RUBY-CKOWNED WEEN. 



Motacilla calendula, LiNif.EUS, Syst. Nat. I. 176G, 3.37. — Si/h-ia calendula, Latham, Ind. 

 Ora. II. 1790, 549. — Wilson, Am. Orn. I. 1808, 8;!; pi. v. f. 3. — Doughty, Cab. 

 N. H. II. 1832, 61; pi. vi. — Rrr/idiis calendnhi, LiCHTENSTEix, Verzeich. 1823, Nos. 

 403-409. — NuTTALL, Man. I. 1832, 415. — Audubon, Orn. Biog. II. 18.34, 546; pi, 

 195. Ib. Birds, Amcr. II. 1841, 168; pi. 133. — Baird, P. R. Rep. IX. Birds, 226.— 

 Kennerly, X. iii. 24. — IIeermaxx, X. vi. 43. — Cooper and Suokley, XII. iii. Zool. 

 of W. T. 174. 



Sp. Ciiae. xlbove, dark gx'eenish olive, passing into bright olive green on the rumjD 

 and outer edges of the wings and tail. Crown with large concealed patch of scarlet feath- 

 ers, which are white at the base. The under parts are grayish white tinged with pale 



olive yellow, especially bohinil. A ring round the eye, two bands on the wing coverts, 

 and the exterior of the inner tertials white. Young without the red on the crown. 

 Length, 4.25 to 4.75 ; extent, G.50 to 7.25 ; wing, 2.40 ; tail, 1.85. Iris, bill, and feet brown ; 

 toes yellow. 



Ilab. United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



These little birds are abundant tlirougliout the State during tlie colder 

 months, even where there are only Ijushes, among whicli they are constantly 

 at work pursuing their insect prey. In May they retire to the mountains, 

 wliere they breed, but their nest and eggs have never been discovered, as far 

 as I can ascertain, and are probably placed in hollow trees. 



They are fearless little creatures, Hitting close to a person's head, and ey- 

 ing him with curiosity. In the spring they utter a low, soft warble, often 

 quite extended, and half whispered, as if they feared to disturb the solitudes 

 5 



