KINGLETS. 81 



food. When one notices how thoroughly each tree is inspected by 

 dozens of pairs of keen, prying eyes, he is surprised that any insects or 

 their eggs should survive to produce broods. 



RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 



(Regulus calendula.) 



The ruby-crowned kinglet is known in California principally as a 

 winter resident, though in some of the high mountains it remains 

 through the summer and breeds. Its small size would prevent it 

 from doing appreciable injury to fruit or grain were any to be had 

 when it is in the fruit and grain raising regions. 



As might be inferred from field observations, its diet consists 

 almost entirely of insects and their eggs, and the number it destroys 

 is beyond computation. 



In investigating the food of the kinglet 294 stomachs were exam- 

 ined, all taken in California from September to April, inclusive. 

 Only 1 stomach was collected in September, 5 in March, and 5 in 

 April. The other included months are fairly well represented. The 

 food consisted of 94 percent of animal matter and 6 percent of vege- 

 table. It was made up of insects, spiders, and pseudoscorpions — 

 minute creatures resembling microscopic lobsters — fruit, weed seeds, 

 etc. 



Animal food. — The animal food is quite evenly distributed through 

 the season. The greatest amount, 100 percent, appeared in the first 

 and last two months, and the least, 79 percent, in January. Hyme- 

 noptera, in the shape of wasps, and a few ants appear to be the 

 favorite food, as they aggregate over 32 percent of the whole. The 

 stomach taken in September contained none of them, but in every 

 other month they are fairly well represented, and with but little 

 variation until March, when there is a sudden increase, which con- 

 tinues in April. This is undoubtedly due to the increased numbers of 

 these insects following the return of warm, dry weather, for the order 

 is noted for its fondness for warmth and sunshine. Adverse criti- 

 cism may be made upon this element of the kinglet's diet, as flying 

 Hymenoptera are useful agents in the fertilization of flowers, and 

 some species of plants are dependent upon them for the performance 

 of this important function. The parasitic species of this order also 

 were found to some extent in the food of the kinglet, and unques- 

 tionably many of these are decidedly useful. 



In the food of the kinglet, bugs (Hemiptera) are next in impor- 

 tance. They constitute nearly 26 percent of the diet, and are found 

 in greatest quantity in the first months of the bird's winter stay, in 

 September and October, but gradually decrease till spring. 



9379— No. 30—07 6 



