150 DOTS IN FEATHERS. 



toward the rear and duller toward the head. 

 Observe, too, that he wears two white bars across 

 each wing. 



There are times in the spring and autumn when 

 these dainty birds take possession of the woods, 

 flitting about gaily in every bush and tree in search 

 of insects, and filling the air with their fine 

 gossamer notes, which may be represented by the 

 syllable z-e-e-e^ or ts-e-e-e. Sometimes they may be 

 heard, if not seen, in the tops of the tallest trees ; 

 but as far as I have observed them, they prefer the 

 bushes and saplings, and even descend occasionally 

 to the ground, where they dance about on the leaves 

 in search of food. Like all small birds, they are 

 expert tilters, and can easily balance on a spray or 

 leaf, often clinging to the lower side ; and more 

 than once I have seen them poise on the wing like 

 a humming-bird, while they gathered nits or gnats 

 from the foliage. Yet, agile as they are, they 

 sometimes miss their footing, or a twig snaps 

 beneath their weight, and it is amusing to see them 

 flutter and wheel to recover their balance. Acci- 

 dents, you know, will happen in the best of families, 

 even in the family of tlie kinglets. 



How surprising that such tiny creatures should 

 be so hardy ! One would think that if a snow- 



