lll^ ruby-crowjned kinglet. 



and mucli riclier, I do not come up to tlie truth, for 

 it is not only as powerful and clear, but much, more 

 varied and pleasing to tlie ear. We looked for its 

 mate and nest, but all around was as silent as death, 

 or only filled with the hum of myriads of insects. I 

 made a drawing of it in its full spring plumage. A 

 month later the young of this species were seen feeding 

 among the bushes. 



The Ruby-crowned Wren is found in Louisiana and 

 other southern states from November to March. Near 

 Charlestown they are sometimes very abundant. The 

 old birds are easily distinguished from the young 

 without shooting them, on account of the curious dif- 

 ference in their habits, for while the latter keep together 

 among the lowest bushes, the former are generally seen 

 on the top branches of high trees. I have not observed 

 a similar difference in Regulus tricolor. The rich 

 vermilion spot on the head in the parent species Avas 

 wanting in the young, that part being of the same plain 

 colour as the back. 



I have found this bird in Kentucky also during 

 winter, but generally in southern exposures, and usually 

 in company with the Brown Creeper and Titmouse. 



The little bird of which I speak appears to feed 

 entirely on insects and their larvae, and I have often 

 thought it wonderful that there should seem to be no 

 lack of food for it even during weather sometimes too 

 cold for the birds themselves. It seems to migrate 

 during the day only, and merely by passing from bush 

 to bush, or hopping among the twigs, until a large 

 piece of water happens to come in its way, when it 

 rises obliquely to the height of above twenty yards, 

 and then proceeds horizontally in short undulations. 

 It emits a feeble chirp at almost every motion. So 



