136 
The Kinglets 
trees where the equally small Parula Warbler is most at home. We shall 
most likely find it not alone, but in straggling troops, which keep up a 
sort of companionship with each other. . . They appear to be 
incessantly in motion, — I know of no birds more active than these, — 
presenting the very picture of restless, puny energy, making much ado 
about nothing. 
“The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of our most wonderful songsters. 
During April and early May, the attentive listener can frequently hear 
the beautiful lay. The notes are clear, very loud and prolonged, full of 
variety and purity. This exquisite vocalization defies description; we 
can speak only in general terms of the power, purity and volume of the 
notes, their faultless modulation and long continuance.” 
Audubon says of it : “When I tell you that its song is fully as sonor- 
ous as that of the Canary-bird, and much richer, I do 
not come up to the truth, for it is not only as powerful 
Song of 
the Ruby-crown 
and clear, but much more varied and pleasing .’ 1 
But of many descriptions of this wonderful song, that of Mr. Ch~ 
man is by far the most expressive: “The May morning when first l 
heard the Kinglet’s song is among the most memorable days of my ear 1 
ornithological experiences. The bird was in the tree-tops in the most 
impassable bit of woods near my home. The longer and more eagerly 
I followed the unseen singer, the greater the mystery became. It seemed 
impossible that a bird which I supposed was at least as large as a Blue- 
bird could escape observation in partly leaved trees. The song was mel- 
low and flute-like, and loud enough to be heard several hundred yards: 
an intricate warble, past imitation or description, and rendered so ad- 
mirably that I never hear it now without feeling an impulse to applaud.” 
Classification and Distribution 
The Kinglets belong to the Order Passeres and Family Sylviidce (Old-World 
Warblers). The scientific name of the Golden-crowned Kinglet is Regulus satrapa. 
It breeds throughout the wooded parts of northern North America, and is found in 
winter from southern Canada to Guatemala. Those of the Pacific Coast are of 
the subspecies R. s. olivaceus. The scientific name of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is 
Regulus calendula. It is more northerly in distribution in summer than the Golden- 
crown, breeding nowhere south of Canada except in the Rocky Mountains. It has 
two varieties: (1) the Sitka Kinglet (R. c. grinelli), of Alaska, and (2) the Dusky 
Kinglet ( R . c. obscurus), of Guadaloupe Island. 
This and other Educational Leaflets are for sale, at 5 cents each, by the National Association of 
Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 
