94 THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 



The two are frequently found associated with each other. 

 In plumage the Ruby- crowned Kinglet is exactly like the 

 Golden-crowned, except in the markings of the head. In 

 the present species it is plain olive, like the back, with a 

 central patch of vermilion red, but with no black or yel- 

 low; on each side of the eye is a small white spot. The 

 female lacks the red on the head entirely. 



The number of its eggs is less, being generally six or 

 eight. It is only transient in New Jersey, occurring in 

 migrations between April 12 and May 1 and again from 

 September 15 to November 1. Its song is so rich, full, 

 mellow and varied as to be totally unlike that of the 

 Golden-crowned. Mr. Henry Nehrling speaks of the 

 "power, purity and volume of the notes, their faultless 

 modulation and long continuance," and Dr. Coues says 

 that "the Kinglet's exquisite vocalization defies descrip- 

 tion. " It is an industrious destroyer of insects and larvae, 

 but prefers those of the orchard, thus making itself very 

 useful to the fruit-grower. 



Kittiwake. This bird breeds in the arctic regions and 

 occasionally is found along the coast of New Jersey, a 

 few specimens having been obtained in later years. It is 

 sixteen inches in length, thirty in extent, having a bill 

 one and a third inches long. The head, belly, sides and 

 tail are white; the back and wings, gray; there is a dusky 

 spot over the ear and the tips of the long wing feathers 

 and outer web of the outermost are black, one or two 

 are tipped with white; legs, black; feet, yellow. 



Knot, Robin Snipe, or Gray Snipe. This bird 

 was formerly very plentiful in migrations in New Jersey, 

 but it has been killed off to a great extent, proving an 

 easy prey for pothunters. It breeds in the far north and 

 spends the winter in South America. A few still occur 

 in New Jersey, generally between May 15 and June 1, and 

 again between August 15 and September 15. It is a 



