Kinsletl SONG-BIRDS.
Nest: Very rare, only six known. 0f matted hair, feathers, moss, etc. Bulky, globular, and partly pensile.
Eggs: Marked “unknown” in Coues's “Key to North American Birds," but have been more recently found. Dirty cream-white, deepening at larger end to form a ring. Some specimens are spotted.
Range .' North America, south to Guatemala, north to the Arctic coast.
In late autumn, even after a light November snow, these cheery, sociable, little birds come prying and peering about the orchard or garden fruit trees, examining every twig or nook which may conceal insects with profound interest. They remain at the most only a few weeks, but make us a similar visit in April on the return trip. I only know its call note, though its full song is often heard in the spring migration, and is said to be rich and sweet. Mr. Nehrling,1 who has heard it sing in central \Visconsin and northern Illinois, speaks of the “power, purity, and volume of the notes, their faultless modulation and long continuance.” Dr. Cones says of it, “The Kinglet’s exquisite vocalization defies description.”
It is a very valuable bird to the agriculturist, coming when most insect—eaters have passed on, and does prodigious work among all classes of fruit trees, by killing grubs and larvae.
The Kinglets have been, in common with many other attractive birds, recklessly killed for millinery purposes, but the present law in many States prohibits the sale of stuffed song-birds for such use, and this, together with the increase of public opinion against this vandalism, is not with- out efl'ect; for I have never seen so many of these little sprites as during the past December.
1 “ Our Native Birds of Song and Beauty,” Henry Nehrling, Milwaukee.
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