258 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



were in some straits for food. At this time the apple trees had advanced so far 

 that the end of every twig presented a rosette of slightly expanded leaves, often 

 enclosing undeveloped flower buds. A flock of warblers composed of several 

 species was one morning observed by the writer flitting from tree to tree in an 

 orchard, and examining each of these rosettes. So silent and industrious were 

 the birds that they paid no heed to the observer, but kept at their work even 

 when only a yard or two from his head. In order to determine what food these 

 birds were finding on the trees, a number of the rosettes were examined upon a 

 tree at some distance ahead of the birds, and each one was found to contain 

 from one to half a dozen large green plant-lice (Aphides). These insects were 

 large, full grown, and ready not only to suck the juice from the leaves and 

 flowers, but to bring forth a numerous progeny to prey upon the further growth 

 of the trees. But the birds came just at that time when by destroying the 

 mother insect they not only prevented her from doing further harm herself, 

 but cut off the future generations which would have continued in a steady 

 succession all summer. This work was observed on several days, and probably 

 was continued until the warmer weather brought an abundance of insect food. 



The Kinglets {Regulus satrapa and R. calendula). 



These two minute birds may be considered as titmice in disguise, for as far 

 as actions are concerned they are the complete counterparts of those restless 

 birds. They have the same tireless industry, the same unending search for insects 

 in the crevices of bark, under leaves, in buds or tufts of moss. Perhaps they do 

 not as a rule frequent such large trees as the titmice, but rather prefer small 

 trees or shrubs, but still they are forest inhabitants, and are to be found where 

 large trees are the principal growth. In color they are decidedly more stylish than 

 the titmice, in so far at least as their head dress goes, which consists of a 

 particularly jaunty cap of bright colored feathers, golden in one and ruby-colored 

 in the other — hence their two common names, the golden-crowned and the ruby- 

 crowned. 



Their food is mostly composed of insects, with only a small percentage of 

 vegetable matter. An examination of several hundred of their stomachs shows 

 that the insects eaten are mostly small beetles, particularly weevils, ants, bugs 

 (Hemiptera), and small caterpillars, with a few of other orders. The first three 

 of these, however, make up the great bulk of the food. In the case of the ruby- 

 crowned kinglet {Regulus calendula), ants, with a few other Hymenoptera, amount 

 to more than thirty-six per cent of the whole food of the year, and are an 



