Ruby-crowned Kinglet 29 



trick of lifting and flitting their wings every 

 little while. The bluebird and pine grosbeak 

 have it too, but their much larger, trembling 

 wings seem far less nervous. 



Happily the kinglets are not at all shy; no 

 bird is that is hatched out so far north that it 

 never sees a human being until it travels south- 

 ward to spend the winter. Alas! It is the birds 

 that know us too well that are often the most 

 afraid. When the leaves are turning crimson 

 and russet and gold in the autumn, keep a sharp 

 look out for the plump little grayish, olive green 

 birds that are even smaller than wrens, and not 

 very much larger than hummingbirds. Al- 

 though members of quite a different family — the 

 kinglets are exclusive — they condescend to join 

 the nuthatches and chickadees in the orchard 

 to help clean the farmer's fruit trees or pick up 

 a morsel at the free lunch counter in zero 

 weather. Love or war is necessary to make the 

 king show us his crown. But vanity or anger 

 is sufficient excuse for lifting the dark feathers 

 that nearly conceal the beauty spot on the top 

 of his head when the midget's mind is at ease. 

 If you approach very near — and he will allow 

 you to almost touch him — you may see the 

 little patch of brilliant red feathers, it is true, 

 but you will probably get an unexpected, 

 chattering scolding from the little king as he 

 flies away. 



