Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
29 
trick of lifting and flitting their wings every 
little while. The bluebird and pine grosbeak 
have it too, but their much larger, trembling 
wings seem far less nervous. 
Happily the kinglets are not at all shy; no 
bird is that is hatched out so far north that it 
never sees a human being until it travels south- 
ward to spend the winter. Alas! It is the birds 
that know us too well that are often the most 
afraid. When the leaves are turning crimson 
and russet and gold in the autumn, keep a sharp 
look out for the plump little grayish, olive green 
birds that are even smaller than wrens, and not 
very much larger than hummingbirds. Al- 
though members of quite a different family — the 
kinglets are exclusive — they condescend to join 
the nuthatches and chickadees in the orchard 
to help clean the farmer’s fruit trees or pick up 
a morsel at the free lunch counter in zero 
weather. Love or war is necessary to make the 
king show us his crown. But vanity or anger 
is sufficient excuse for lifting the dark feathers 
that nearly conceal the beauty spot on the top 
of his head when the midget’s mind is at ease. 
If you approach very near — and he will allow 
you to almost touch him — you may see the 
little patch of brilliant red feathers, it is true, 
but you will probably get an unexpected, 
chattering scolding from the little king as he 
flies away. 
