January in Berkeley, 



the winter season, and generally in the 

 bushes or low trees. In manners the 

 junco is exceptionally bright and cheer- 

 ful, never showing any signs of discon- 

 tent, however dreary the day. His coat 

 is of uniform slate color in general hue, 

 varied with a shade of brown on the 

 back, and abruptly broken across the 

 breast, leaving the under parts pure 

 white, except on the sides, which are of 

 a bufFy pinkish cast. The white tail- 

 feathers, constantly exhibited in flight, 

 are also characteristic marks of the 

 species. 



If the junco is merry, the kinglets 

 are the incarnation of feathered light- 

 heartedness. No larger than your 

 thumb, these little midgets are full of 

 restless animation and nervous enthu- 

 siasm. From spray to spray, branch to 

 branch, and tree to tree they flit, with 

 head up or down as suits the whim or 

 convenience of the moment. The two 

 species are of about the same size and 

 general color — plain dull gray below 

 125 



