S4 BIRDS 



will probably get an unexpected, chattering scolding from 

 the little king as he flies away. 



In the spring his love song is as siu-prisingly strong in 

 proportion to his size as the wren's. It seems impos- 

 sible for such a volume of mellow, flute-like melody 

 to pour from a throat so tiny. Before we have a chance 

 to hear it again, the singer is off with his tiny queen 

 to nest in some spruce tree beyond the Canadian bor- 

 der. 



The golden-crowned kinglet, similar to its next of kin, 

 has a touch of orange color, bordered by yellow and out- 

 lined by black for his adornment; otherwise one could 

 scarcely tell the kinglets apart. 



The Chickadee 



Length — ^5 to 5.5 inches. About an inch smaller than the 

 English sparrow. 



Male and Female — ^Not crested. Crown and nape and 

 throat black. Above gray, slightly tinged with brown. 

 A white space, beginning at base of bill, extends back- 

 ward, widening over cheeks and upper part of breast, 

 forming a sort of collar that almost surrounds neck. 

 Underneath dirty white, with pale rusty-brown wash 

 on sides. Wings and tail gray, with white edgings. 

 Plumage downy. 



Range — ^Eastern North America. North of the Carolinas 

 to Labrador. Does not migrate in the North, 



Migrations — ^Late September. May. Whiter resident; 

 permanent resident in northern parts of the United 

 States. 

 (See plate, page 26.) 



