376 NOTES ON NEW ENGLAND BIRDS 



RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 



April 25, 1854. Saw a golden-crested wren * in the 

 woods near Goose Pond. It sounded far off and like an 

 imitation of a robin,^ — a long strain and often repeated. 

 I was quite near it before I was aware of it, it sounding 

 still like a faint imitation of a robin. Some chickadees 

 and yellow redpolls were first apparent, then my wren 

 on the pitch pines and young oaks. He appeared curi- 

 ous to observe me. A very interesting and active little 

 fellow, darting about amid the tree-tops, and his song 

 quite remarkable and rich and loud for his size. Begins 

 with a very fine note, before its pipes are filled, not 

 audible at a little distance, then woriter weter, etc., etc., 

 winding up with teter teter, all clear and round.-' This 

 was at 4 p. M., when most birds do not sing. I saw it 

 yesterday, pluming itself and stretching its little wings. 



1 [" Golden " crossed out in pencil and " ruby " substituted.] 



2 And of a golden robin, wbich later I often mistook for him. 

 ^ His song is comical and reminds me of the thrasher. 



