44 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis 



woods, where it loves to hide under the exposed roots of 

 trees. In migration it has visited wood piles and brush 

 heaps in populated places, but as a rule it seeks the re- 

 tirement of the forest. 



The Bewick's "Wren, whose summer home is chiefly 

 south of the Missouri River, while that of the Winter 

 Wren is in the north, is sometimes found in winter in the 

 suburbs of St. Louis. The Carolina Wren used to be one 

 of our conspicuous birds in winter. Its loud whistle was 

 one of the first sounds we heard on entering its haunts. 

 The species was known as a most faithful permanent resi- 

 dent, being found at its breeding stand all the year round. 

 It is only since the unusually severe winter of 1917-18 

 that Carolina Wrens have become scarce, and in fact in 

 most places where it was known to occur for many years 

 it is totally absent since then. 



A really dainty little bird to be met with in our woods 

 in winter is the Golden-crested Kinglet. It is a hardier 

 species than its cousin, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, which 

 is with us in spring and fall. The Golden-crested has two 

 black stripes on the head enclosing a yellow stripe, which 

 in the old male has a scarlet center. It is not always easy 

 to get a good view of these markings, as the little fellow 

 is in almost perpetual motion. In migration they occur 

 in small troops by themselves, but in winter we find them 

 usually in company of Titmice. Their soft * * see, see, see ' ' 

 and sprightly actions show they are always in the best of 

 spirits. Their summer home is mainly north of the 

 United States, but we find them breeding in the moun- 

 tains of the Atlantic States and in the West. In Europe, 

 which has nothing like our Hummingbird, two species of 

 Kinglets are the smallest birds known. 



Blue jay 8 are not as plentiful in winter in our neighbor- 

 hood as some seem to think. They are rather few in 

 number, but by many people oftener seen in winter than 

 in summer, because they come into our verj' yards in the 

 city to gather food from the garbage pail and chicken 



