52 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



the dreary winter-months, it frequents the pine- 

 forests along the Wissahickon, where it meets 

 with food and shelter. Several years of experience 

 have convinced us that hills with a southern 

 exposure are more particularly chosen. 



It delights in the company of Regulus satrapa, 

 Lophophanes bicolor, Parus atricapUlus, Certhia 

 familiaris, Sitta Carolmensis, and Anorthura, tro- 

 glodytes which are common in similar situations. 

 , Whilst feeding, it is the very impersqnation of 

 agility. Its movements contrast most strikingly 

 with its less active congener, the Golden-crOwned 

 Kinglet. The tallest tree-tops are its delight, 

 where it may be observed during the entire day, 

 probing within their fissured bark for the eggs and 

 imagos of insects, as the small Picidce and Cer- 

 thiidce do ; occasionally, it may be seen suspended 

 head downward from the' nether surface of a hori- 

 zontal branch, after the fashion of the little Black- 

 capped Titmouse. On occasions of feeding, its 

 movements are hurried; scarcely remaining a 

 minute in the same situation, but moving from 

 branch to branch, and from tree to tree with 

 commendable zeal. 



Its flight is ordinarily elevated, firm, and well 

 sustained. In the spring it descends from its lofty 

 eminences, to the low trees and shrubbery along 

 water-courses. It is now less retired, and is a 

 common visitor to our lawns and gardens, attracted 

 • to such places by the maple and cherry-blooms 

 that afford convenient lurking-places for the small 



