244 PASSERES: Perching Birds 



SYLVIID.E (Family Kinglets and Gnatcatchers) : Very small 

 birds, mostly dull-colored; Kinglets greenish, marked with red 

 or yellow on crown; Gnatcatchers gray, with black head-mark- 

 ings. 



WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET 

 (748a. Regulus satrapa olivaceus) 4 in. 



Middle of crown flame yellow, bordered by black lines; below 

 these, white super ciliaries, meeting on forehead; side of head 

 olive; a black eye-ring; back olive-green; yellowish white under 

 parts. Female differs only in lighter yellow crown. 



The distinctive head-striping is very conspicuous, while its 

 call, a weak "tee, tee," is almost equally characteristic. 



RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 



(749. Regulus calendula calendula) 4| in. 



A tiny dull green bird, with conspicuous white eye-ring; the 

 ruby crown belongs to the male only and is mostly concealed; 

 dull olive or grayish below, lightening on belly; wing-bar and 

 edging of inner flight feathers buffy. 



Note: "Cht, cht," with a "buzzing" quality. Song, in spring, 

 sweet and clear, of surprising volume for so small a bird. 



WESTERN GNATCATCHER 



(751a. Polioptila caerulescens obscura) 4f in. 



A slender blue-gray bird, with white eye-ring, black tail 

 broadly white-edged, and light bluish gray under parts. Fore- 

 head of male narrowly black; this is lacking in winter when 

 whole plumage is grayer. 



Nest a marvelous bit of bird-craft. Saddled on an oak branch, 

 it is disguised by bits of lichen; or in a juniper or grease wood 

 fork, it conforms to the color and surface of the supporting 

 branches. 



