215 



Nesting. In coniferous trees, nest of moss and fine strips of bark neatly interwoven 

 and lined with feathers, usually semi-pensile. 



Distribution. Northern North America. In eastern Canada breeding north above 

 settlement and slightly farther north than the Golden-crown. 



SUBSPECIES. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is divided into three subspecific races 

 only one of which, the Eastern Ruby-crown, the typical form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



This species is so nearly like the Golden-crowned Kinglet that little 

 further discussion is necessary either of habits or economic status. The 

 song of the Ruby-crowned, however, is one of nature's surprises. It 

 is loud, clear, and full throated and is audible for a surprising distance, 

 equalling in carrying power the song of the Purple Finch. When first 

 heard it is almost invariably ascribed to some of the better singing 

 sparrows rather than to this diminutive little bird. 



Subfamily Polioptilince. Gnatcatchers. L, J^-05. 



A small family composed of only one genus and peculiar to America. 

 The colour is in soft bluish-ash and white. The bill is superficially warbler- 

 like but the first primary feather of the wing is small and almost 

 aborted, being considerably less than half as long as the next, as is the 

 case with the Warbling Vireo. Only one species occurs in Canada. 



751. Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. Polioptila ccerulea. L, 4-05. All even bluish-grey 

 above, wings dark, and tail black, the outer tail feathers white; below and face all white. 

 Male has black line across forehead and over eye. 



Distinctions. The small size, even blue and white coloration, and the short first whig 

 quill are diagnostic. 



Field Marks. Inhabiting treetops so high up that the colours are usually difficult to 

 make out, the outline, with long narrow tail switched about much in the manner of the 

 Red-start, and the characteristic rather hoarse call notes make the best recognition marks. 



Nesting. Nest of tendrils, fine strips of bark, and fine grasses firmly interwoven and 

 covered outside with spiderweb and lichens. It is chimney-like in shape, high with straight 

 sides, and is one of the most beautiful American bird nests. 



Distribution. Southeastern United States north to the Canadian border along lake 

 Erie and the Detroit river. 



SUBSPECIES. The eastern subspecies, the Eastern Gnatcatcher, is the typical 

 form. A western subspecies occurs in the southwestern states. 



This is a bird of the large tree forests where it usually lives and builds 

 high up among the tree tops. As it is only regularly found in southern 

 Ontario along western lake Erie and has been taken elsewhere in Canada 

 only occasionally, it must be regarded as a rare bird in Canada. 



Economic Status. Too rare in Canada to be economically considered. 



FAMILY TURDIDJB. THRUSHES AND ALLIES. 



This is a nearly cosmopolitan group systematically separated with 

 difficulty from the last family, though the individuals described in the 

 following pages are strongly enough marked to be easily recognizable. 

 In eastern Canada only one subfamily is represented. 



Subfamily Turdinw. The True Thrushes. L, 6-25-10. 



Most of the Canadian Thrushes are easily recognized as such. Sys- 

 tematically they are plainly marked by the number of primaries and 



