227 



Distinctions. The Kinglets might be mistaken for some of the dull, evenly coloured 

 Warblers, but as all plumages except the female and juvenile Ruby-crowned have brilliant 

 crown patches, this will usually prevent confusion, and size should do so in any event. 



Field Marks. Dull greenish coloration, chickadee-like restlessness, and custom of 

 hanging head downward from pendant sprays are characteristic. Their fine, sharp con- 

 versational "Tsee-lsee-tsee's" soon become familiar and are easily recognized. 



Genus — Regulus. Kinglets. 



748. Golden-crowned Kinglet, golden-crowned wben. fr. — le roitelet 

 hupp£. Regulus satrapa. L, 4-07. Plate XL VII B. 



Distinctions. Kinglets, so nearly alike in general coloration, can be easily separated 

 by their crowns. The Golden-crowned has a black line over the eye that is absent in the 

 Ruby-crowned and the crown spot is orange and yellow in the male or plain yellow in the 

 female instead of ruby-red or even olive as in the Ruby-crowned. 



Field Marks. The crown coloration and light eyebrow make the best field marks 

 but, owing to the small size of the bird, considerable patience is sometimes necessary to 

 distinguish these marks when the birds are constantly moving about high overhead in 

 coniferous trees. 



Nesting. Generally in coniferous trees. Pensile nest of green mosses lined with fine 

 strips of soft inner bark, fine black rootlets, and feathers. 



Distribution. As a species, northern North America. The Eastern Golden-crown 

 ranges west to near the mountains, breeding in the coniferous belt. 



SUBSPECIES. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is divided into an eastern and western 

 subspecies. The Eastern Golden-crown, the type form, is the only one that occurs in 

 eastern Canada. 



One often finds oneself surrounded by a large flock of these little birds 

 flitting in and out of dense foliage, darting hither and thither, utterly 

 indifferent to the intruder's presence, and coming and going so quickly 

 that it is difficult to note the specific characters. Some hang head down- 

 ward from a swaying bunch of twigs and others work in and out on the 

 branches and twigs, keeping up a continual interchange of fine sharp 

 "Tsee-tsee4see". 



The Golden-crown remains in southern Canada nearly all winter. 

 It is partial to evergreen trees and often frequents the ornamental conifers 

 about the house and in towns. It is fearless and trusting but, unlike the 

 Chickadee, seldom becomes familiar. 



Economic Status. The Kinglets are so largely insectivorous that 

 they can be looked upon as most beneficial. They are small, but their 

 numbers, when they occur, more than make up for their small size, and 

 what is said of the Chickadee in this respect applies equally well to them. 



749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, ruby-crowned wren. fr. — le roitelet 1 

 couronne rubis. Regulus calendula. L, 4-41. Plate XLVII B. 



Distinctions. The Ruby-crowned is likely to be mistaken only for the previous species 

 but the lack of black stripes on the head is always diagnostic. 



Field Marks. In the quick movement of the lively flocks and the deep shadows of 

 dense conifers it is sometimes difficult to catch the distinctive head marks of the Kinglets. 

 It will be noted, however, that the Ruby-crowned has a habit of fluttering its wings occa- 

 sionally, in a few short quick vibrations, during momentary pauses while hopping about 

 without flying. This will often suggest the species though it cannot be regarded as a 

 certain proof of identity. 



Nesting. In coniferous trees, nest of moss and fine strips of bark neatly interwoven 

 and lined with feathers, usually semi-pensile. 



Distribution. Northern North America. In eastern Canada breeding north above 

 settlement and slightly farther north than the Golden-crown. 



SUBSPECIES. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is divided into three subspecific races 

 only one of which, the Eastern Ruby-crown, the typical form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



