76 NORTH AMKKICAX UIRDS. 



nesting, and distribution during the breeding-season of the Ruby-crowned 

 Kinglet. It is t'ouud, at varying periods, in all parts of North America, 

 from Mexico to tiie sliorcs of the Arctic seas, and from the Atlantic to the 

 Pacific ; and, although its breeding-places arc not known, its occurrence in 

 the more northern latitudes, from ^hiine to the extreme portions of the conti- 

 nent, during the season of reproduction, indicate i)retty certainly its extended 

 distribution throughout all tiie forests from the •44th parallel northward. 

 None of our American ornithologists are known to have met with either its 

 eggs or its nest, hut we may reasonably infer that its nest is pensile, like 

 that of its European kindred, and from being susjn'uded from the higher 

 branches, from its peculiar structure and jiosition has thus far escaped 

 observation. 



In the New England States they aie most abundant in the months of 

 October and April. A few ju'obably remain in the thick evergreen woods 

 throughout the winter, and in the northern parts of Maine they ai'c occasion- 

 ally fouud in the suunner, and, without doubt, breed there. In the damp 

 swampy woods of the islands in the liay of Fundy, the writer heard their 

 remarkable song resounding in all directions throughout the month of June. 

 The song of this bird is l)y far the most remarkable of its specific pecu- 

 liarities. Its notes are clear, resonant, and high, and constitute a prolonged 

 series, varying from the lowest tones to the highest, terminating with the 

 latter. It nuiy be heard at (juite a distance, and in some respects beai-s 

 more resenddance to the song of the English Skylark than to that of the 

 Canary, to which Mr. Audidwn compares it. 



Their food ap])ears to he chiefly the smaller insects, in pursuit of which 

 they are very active, and at times appear to be so absorbed in their avocation 

 as to be unmindful of the near presence of the sjtortsman or collector, and 

 unwarned by the souimI of the deadly gun. They are also said by Wilson 

 to feed upon the stamens of the lilossoms of the maple, the apple, i)each, and 

 other trees. Like the other species, they are expert insect-takers, catching 

 them readily oji the v ing. They ari' chief'.y to be met with in the spring 

 among the tree-tops, where the insects they prefer abound among the 

 expanding buds. In the fall of the year, on their return, they are more 

 commonly met with among lower branches, and among bushes near the 

 ground. 



Although presumed to be chiefly resident, during the summer months, 

 of high northern regions, Wilson met with s])ecimens in iViinsylvania 

 during the breeding-season ; am^ it is (|uite probable that they may occur, 

 here and there, among the high valleys in the midst of mountain ranges, 

 in different ])arts of the country. 



In the winter it is most al»un(hint in the (Inlf States, and especially in 

 that of Louisiana. Dr. Woodiiouse found it ([iiite abundant throughout 

 Ti xas New Mexico, and the Indian Territory. Dr. Cooj)er found it in 

 Washington Territory, but did not there meet with it in summer. Dr. 



