Bird Families 
expert climbers, though not such wonderful gymnasts as the nut- 
hatches. These cousins are frequently seen together in winter 
woods or in the evergreens about houses. Chickadees are partial 
to tree-tops, especially to the highest pine cones, on which they 
hang fearlessly. Cheerful, constant residents, retreating to the 
deep woods only to nest. | 
‘ Tufted Titmouse. 
Chickadee. 
Family Syliide: KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS 
, 
The kinglets (Reguline) are very small greenish-gray birds, 
with highly colored crown patch, that are seen chiefly in autumn, 
winter, and spring south of Labrador. Habits active; diligent 
flitters among trees and shrubbery from limb to limb after minute 
insects. Beautiful nest builders, Song remarkable for so small 
a bird. 
Golden-crowned Kinglet. 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 
The one representative of the distinctly American subfamily 
of gnatcatchers (Polioptiline) that we have, is a small blue-gray 
bird, whitish below. It is rarely found outside moist, low tracts 
of woodland, where insects abound. These it takes on the wing 
with wonderful dexterity. Itis exceedingly graceful and assumes 
many charming postures. A bird of trees, nesting in the high 
‘branches. A bird of strong character and an exquisitely finished 
though feeble songster. 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 
Family Turdide: THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 
This group includes our finest songsters. Birds of moderate 
size, stout build; as a rule, inhabitants of woodlands, but the 
robin and the bluebird are notable exceptions. Bills long and 
slender, suitable for worm diet. Only casual fruit-eaters. Slen- 
der, strong legs for running and hopping. True thrushes are 
grayish or olive-brown above; buff or whitish below, heavily 
streaked or spotted. 
Bluebird. 
Robin. 
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