1142 -REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



Kinglet is less hardy than the other species and winters farther south. 

 Sumichrast mentions specimens in the collection of Sr. Botteri, from 

 Orizaba, Mexico (La Naturaleza Tomo, V., p. 241), and I have found 

 them in numbers in the Valley of Mexico. They begin to return to 

 southern Indiana, May 30, and reach the extreme north of the State 

 some years by April 11. They are most numerous the latter part of 

 that month, when the bulk passes northward. 



Some, however, are usually seen after May 1. These are mostly in 

 immature plumage. I always associate them in my mind with the 

 blooming of the apple trees, about which they are often seen. The 

 following are some early and late records, showing the extremes of the 

 period of spring migration: Greensburg, March 31, 1895; May 6, 

 1893; Brookville, April 6, 1883, May 9, 1885; Spearsville, April 3, 

 1895, April 26, 1894; Richmond, April 12, 1897, May 1, 1897; La- 

 fayette, April 1, 1893, May 9, 1894; Sedan, April 11, 1889, May 4, 

 1889, and 1894; Laporte, April 11, 1896; Chicago, 111., April 13, 1896, 

 May 12, 1895; Petersburg, Mich., April 14, 1897, May 15, 1888. 



Miss H. E. Colfax reports it from Michigan City at the unusually 

 late date, June 8, 1884. 



When with us they have, like the Ruby-crown, a squeaky note ti 

 often coupled, two or three together. When many are in company, 

 and not too close to the listener, there is a peculiar tinkling effect. 

 At the latter part of their spring visit they occasionally favor a 

 strolling bird-lover with their love song. Of this song, which few 

 have heard, and known the author, Audubon said: "When I tell you 

 that its song is fully as sonorous as that of the Canary bird, and 

 much richer, I do not come up to the truth, for it is not only as 

 powerful and clear, but much more varied and pleasing." 



Their harbits, in general, resemble those of the Golden-crowned 

 Kinglet at the same season, except they seem to keep in little com- 

 panies more to themselves, and are not so frequently associated with 

 the other birds; and they frequent more often the higher limbs of 

 trees, often being seen, a tiny mite, about the topmost boughs of some 

 tall forest tree.. This species is not so numerous as the former one, 

 and appears to be more numerous in fall than spring. They occa- 

 sionally arrive in autumn as early as the beginning of September. 

 Usually, however, they are most numerous the latter part of that' 

 month, and in October. At Chicago, 111., they were noted, September 

 3, 1895, and last fall date is October 20, 1894; Lake County, Ind., 

 September 11, 1881, September 25, 1875; Sedan, September 25, 1894, 

 October 11, 1894; Lafayette, October 26, 1895; Brookville, October 8, 

 1885, November 11, 1894. 



