[Illustration: Gray.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 440

748a. WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulas satrapa olivaceus._

Range.--Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska.

This variety is said to be brighter colored than the last; its habits
and eggs are the same in all particulars.

749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulus calendula calendula._

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United
States northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters in
southern United States.

This little bird is of the size of the Golden-crowned Kinglet (4.25
inches long) and has a partially concealed patch of red on the crown,
not bordered by black and yellow as is the last species. Their nests are
similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in
coniferous trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine
eggs are creamy white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 x
.44.

[Illustration 442: Golden-crowned Kinglets.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: C. A. Smith. NEST AND EGGS OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 441

749A. SITKA KINGLET. _Regulas calendula grinnelli._

Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska.

Said to be brighter than the preceding variety.

749b. DUSKY KINGLET. _Regulus calendula obscurus._

Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

This species nests during March in the large cypress and pine groves at
high elevations above the ground. The nests are similar in construction
to those of the common Ruby-crown, and the eggs are scarcely different
from some specimens of that species; white, dotted and wreathed with
reddish brown. Size .56 x .43.

751. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila caerulea caerulea._

Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to
the Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and
Minnesota.

These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and
central tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded
districts in the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon
horizontal branches or in crotches usually at quite an elevation from
the ground; they resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the
walls are much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and
down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on the outside
with lichens to match the limb upon w