i8o BIRDS OF PASSAGE 



place among nature's successes. Myrtle Warblers, 

 first in the northward migration in spring, are leading 

 their numerous relatives toward the land of perpetual 

 summer. The bright yellow rump is their con- 

 spicuous mark, the same colour on the crown and 

 sides of the breast being more difficult to discern. 

 In an unending hurry they gather minute insects 

 from limbs and twigs, preferring to glean among the 

 Willows and Rushes in the marsh. Some of the most 

 enterprising imitate Flycatchers by darting out and 

 capturing passing insects on the wing. The Warblers 

 will soon be passing in large numbers from their 

 northern nesting grounds. There they were protected 

 from invasion by the insect life on which they feed. 

 In a double sense they owe their preservation to the 

 Mosquitoes and black flies. Small size and fondness 

 for inaccessible regions both north and south also 

 help to save the Warblers from destruction and avert 

 the danger occasioned by their strikingly beautiful 

 plumage. 



Golden-crowned Kinglets are gathering sociably 

 in flocks. Although the smallest of our birds, with 

 the exception of the Humming-birds, their activity 

 and flaming crests always attract attention. Their 

 short, whispered notes are generally the first indica- 

 tion of their presence, but they are not averse to 

 working freely under inspection. Though making 

 a distinct migration, a few remain throughout the 



