20 HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. 



of existence has been a close one, but the presence of 

 so many of them shows that they have satisfactorily 

 solved it. 



Apkil 10. — The rubj^-crowned wrens {Begidus calen- 

 dula) are a little tardier in coming than their cousins, 

 the golden-crowned. In habit, size, color and markings 

 they bear a close resemblance. The distinguishing 

 physical feature is the redder patch on the crown of the 

 former, which is often obscured by the loose feathers 

 surrounding it. This patch is bright red instead of 

 orange. The songs of the two species are very differ- 

 ent. That of the ruby-crowned is a broken warble, 

 while the golden- crowned is a slender whistle; both are 

 on high keys and far-reaching. The former sing dur- 

 ing their transient stay ; the latter not till their arrival 

 at their summer home in the w^oods. I know of but 

 one other so small bird, and that is the w^inter wren, 

 whose notes are so resonant and far-sounding as those 

 of the ruby-crowned. To hear his song is a favor well 

 worthy of chronicling. I shall not soon forget my glad 

 surprise on first hearing it to know it. I was standing 

 under one of the large larches in Forest Lawn when I 

 heard sharp, vibratory call notes, much resembling 

 those of the oriole, immediately followed by a warble 

 of wonderful power, as clear, rich and ringing as that 

 of the purple iinch. My first thought was that it was 

 the purple finch. And so very near ! Looking up I 

 saw the little Orpheus in feathers, his bright crown 

 glowing in the sunlight; his throat swelling as the 



