586 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YOSEMITE 



were recorded for each hour of observation, the birds being in pairs and 

 grroups of 3 and 4. 



The wren-tit is chiefly an insectivorous species although at times it 

 takes food of a vegetable nature. Insects certainly predominate in the 

 diet during the summer season, and on this sort of material, as indicated 

 above, the young are probably exclusively fed. In fall and winter, berries 

 are eaten to some extent. At the Campbell ranch north of Pleasajit Valley 

 several wren-tits were feeding, in company with hermit thrushes, upon 

 berries of the toyon, and others were seen peeking at some old figs which 

 had dried up on the trees. 



Western Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa olivaceus Baird 



Field characters.— ^izQ very small, about one-third that of Junco; tail shorter than 

 body. Crown of head orange and yellow (male) or golden yellow (female) bordered 

 on either side by black ; a white stripe over eye ; upper surface of body chiefly green ; 

 under surface whitish; one or two light bars on wings. (See pi. 10b.) Movements 

 quick, wings fluttered oft«n. Voice: Song, a series of fine and wiry notes — tse ; tsc, 

 tse, tse-tse-tse-tse, tse, tse; call notes similar but in shorter series. 



Occurrence. — Moderately common, at least during summer season, in Canadian Zone 

 (sparingly in Transition) on west slope of Sierra Nevada. Eecorded from Hazel Green 

 and Chinquapin eastward to slopes of Mount Hoffmann (at 8700 feet altitude) and 

 to Merced Lake. Usually in Yosemite Valley throughout the year. Eecorded on east 

 side of mountains once, at Walker Lake, September 11, 1915. Inhabits terminal foliage 

 of forest trees, chiefly conifers; in flocks of 4 to 15, usually about 5, except at nesting 

 season when in pairs. 



The Western Golden-crowned Kinglet gains its name from the patch 

 of bright color on its head. In the male this is orange red at the center 

 and yellow on the margins, while in the female it is only yellow; distin- 

 guishment of the sexes is thus possible in the field. With both sexes the 

 'crown' is bounded by black on the forehead and sides, and beneath this on 

 each side is a white stripe running from the bill over the eye. The bright 

 and handsome head marking in this species is exposed to view at all times, 

 whereas the 'ruby' crown of its relative is exhibited only when that bird 

 is excited. There are no conspicuous differences as to the body plumage 

 in the two kinglets. (See pi. lOa, b.) 



The range of the Western Golden-crowned Kinglet lies chiefly in the 

 Canadian Zone, though some of the birds are usually to be found in the 

 Transition Zone. In most years a few nest in Yosemite Valley, although 

 in 1920 the species seemed to be entirely lacking there. In winter the 

 range is much the same as in summer, there being little if any retreat 

 from the higher altitudes, in so far as the facts at our disposal indicate. 

 Numbers are to be found in Yosemite Valley in December, February, and 

 March, and in all probability the same is true in the Canadian Zone fir 



