196 



FIERY-CROWNED KINGLET. 



first seen in Pennsylvania. They continue their migration also to 

 Canada. 



The Cat-bird often tunes nis cheerful song before the break of 

 day, hopping from bush to bush, with great agility after his insect 

 prey, while yet scarcely distinguishable amidst the dusky shadows 

 of the dawn. The notes of different individuals vary considerably 

 A quaint sweetness, however, prevails in all his efforts, and his song 

 is frequently made up of short and blended imitations of other biro's, 

 given, however, with great emphasis, melody, and variety of tone; 

 and, like the Nightingale, invading the hours of repose, in the late 

 twilight of a summer's evening, when scarce another note is heard, 

 but the hum of the drowsy beetle, his music attains its full effect, and 

 often rises and falls with all the swell and studied cadence of finished 

 narmony. During the heat of the day, or late in the morning, the 

 variety of his song declines, or he pursues his employment in silence 

 and retirement. 



THE AMERICAN FIERY- CROWNED KINGLET. 



This diminutive bird is found, according to the season, not only 

 throughout North America, but even in the West Indies. A second 

 species with a Fiery Crest (./?. ignicapillus), and a third indigenous to 

 Asia, are very nearly related to the present; the first having been 

 generally confounded with it, or considered as a variety of the same 



