Bird Families 



expert climbers, though not such wonderful gymnasts as the nut- 

 hatches. These cousins are frequently seen together in winter 

 woods or in the evergreens about houses. Chickadees are partial 

 to tree-tops, especially to the highest pine cones, on which they 

 hang fearlessly. Cheerful, constant residents, retreating to the 

 deep woods only to nest. 



Tufted Titmouse. 



Chickadee. 



Family Sylviidce : KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS 



The kinglets (Regulince) are very small greenish-gray birds, 



with highly colored crown patch, that are seen chiefly in autumn, 



winter, and spring south of Labrador. Habits active ; diligent 



flitters among trees and shrubbery from limb to limb after minute 



insects. Beautiful nest builders. Song remarkable for so small 



a bird. 



Golden-crowned Kinglet. 



Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 



The one representative of the distinctly American subfamily 

 of gnatcatchers (Polioptilince) that we have, is a small blue-gray 

 bird, whitish below. It is rarely found outside moist, low tracts 

 of woodland, where insects abound. These it takes on the wing 

 with wonderful dexterity. It is exceedingly graceful and assumes 

 many charming postures. A bird of trees, nesting in the high 

 branches. A bird of strong character and an exquisitely finished 

 though feeble songster. 



Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 



Family Turdidce : THRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 



This group includes our finest songsters. Birds of moderate 

 size, stout build ; as a rule, inhabitants of woodlands, but the 

 robin and the bluebird are notable exceptions. Bills long and 

 slender, suitable for worm diet. Only casual fruit-eaters. Slen- 

 der, strong legs for running and hopping. True thrushes are 

 grayish or olive-brown above; bulT or whitish below, heavily 

 streaked or spotted. 



Bluebird. 

 Robin. 

 14 



