Kinglets SONG-BIRDS. 



Nest: Very rare, only six known. Of matted hair, feathers, moss, 



etc. Bulky, globular, and partly pensile. 

 Eggs: Marked "unknown" in Coues's "Key to North American 



Birds," but have been more recently found. Dirty cream-white, 



deepening at larger end to form a ring. Some specimens are 



spotted. 

 Range : North America, south to Guatemala, north to the Arctic coast. 



In late autumn, even after a light November snow, these 

 cheery, sociable, little birds come prying and peering about 

 the orchard or garden fruit trees, examining every twig or 

 nook which may conceal insects with profound interest. 

 They remain at the most only a few weeks, but make us a 

 similar visit in April on the return trip. I only know its 

 call note, though its full song is often heard in the spring 

 migration, and is said to be rich and sweet. Mr. Nehrling, 1 

 who has heard it sing in central Wisconsin and northern 

 Illinois, speaks of the "power, purity, and volume of the 

 notes, their faultless modulation and long continuance." 

 Dr. Coues says of it, " The Kinglet's exquisite vocalization 

 defies description." 



It is a very valuable bird to the agriculturist, coming 

 when most insect-eaters have passed on, and does prodigious 

 work among all classes of fruit trees, by killing grubs and 

 larvae. 



The Kinglets have been, in common with many other 

 attractive birds, recklessly killed for millinery purposes, 

 but the present law in many States prohibits the sale of 

 stuffed song-birds for such use, and this, together with the 

 increase of public opinion against this vandalism, is not with- 

 out effect ; for I have never seen so many of these little 

 sprites as during the past December. 



1 " Our Native Birds of Song and Beauty," Henry Nehrling, Milwaukee. 



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