404 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



HAB. North America, south to Guatemala, north to the Arctic coast, 

 breeding mostly north of the United States. 



Nest, large for the size of the bird, a mass of matted hair, grass, moss and 

 feathers, placed on the bough of a tree. 



Eggs, five to nine, whitish or pale buff faintly speckled with light brown at 

 the larger end. 



In Southern Ontario, the Ruby-crown is a regular migrant in 

 spring and fall, but in summer or winter it has not been observed. 



During the latter part of August and beginning of September, 

 these little birds are exceedingly abundant, although from their small 

 size and the weak, lisping note they utter at this season, their num- 

 bers can be estimated only by close observation. I was once caught 

 in the rain in the woods in the month of April, and took shelter in a 

 clump of evergreens, which I found was in possession of a flock of 

 Ruby-crowns. When the clouds passed away and a light breeze 

 shook the sparkling drops from the foliage, I was delighted to hear 

 some of the Kinglets indulge in a song of considerable compass and 

 duration. It was more full, soft and musical than anything I ever 

 heard from so small a bird. At that season their stay is shore ; 

 sometimes they are seen only during two or three days, but in the 

 fall they travel more leisurely. Their breeding ground is far north, 

 and for many years their nests were sought for in vain. Now their 

 discovery is reported from many and far distant points. Colorado, 

 Montana and Oregon are named as supplying the little domicile, and 

 Mr. Chamberlain tells us of one which was taken at Lennoxville, 

 Quebec, May 15th, 1882. This was pensile, and was attached to the 

 branch of a small tree. It contained nine eggs, one of which was a 

 Cowbird's. 



SUBFAMILY POLIOPTILIN^E. GNATCATCHEES. 



GENUS POLIOPTILA SCLATER. 

 POLIOPTILA C^RULEA (LINN.). 



309. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. (751) 



Above, ashy-blue, bluer on the head, lighter on the rump; forehead and 

 line over eye, black, wanting in the female; ring around the eye and under 

 parts, whitish; outer tail feather, except at base, two-thirds the second and 

 tip of third, white, rest of tail, black. Length, 4^; wing, 2; tail, 2. 



HAB. Middle and southern portions of the United States, from the Atlantic 

 to the Pacific, south in winter to Guatemala, Cuba and the Bahamas; rare 



