The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-08

sides which are of buff pinkish cast.
The white tail feathers, constantly ex-
hibited in flight, are also characteristic
marks of the species.
If the junco is merry the kingIets are
the incarnation of feathered light
ness. No larger than your thumb, these
little midgets are full of restless ANNA
ton and nervous enthusiasm. From spray
to spray branch to branch and tree to tree
they fit, with head up or down as suits
The within or convenience of the moment.
The two species are of about the same
size and general color-plain dull gray
below and olive-green above, with large
inquisitive brown eyes in their tiny heads.
They may readily be distinguished, how
ever, by the crown which has given them
their name. The male ruby-crowned king
let has patch of flaming scarlet on the top
of his head, while his prim little mate is
wholly without adornment. The male
golden-crowned knight has line of bril-
liant orange on the head, bordered with
stripes of white and black, and the female
has simple spot of yellow to replace it.
Equally distinct are the notes of the two
species. The ruby-crown utters a high
pensive far-away lisp of note, which is aD
invariable notice of the proximity of a
troop of these birds, while the golden
chatter to indicate its whereabouts.
l have been told that the robin is not
found in this part of the country, yet here
he is in the January rain and storms, the
same dear friend of far-away memories in
Wisconsin summers. The scientists say
he is different from his kinsmen east of
the Rocky Mountains, because he has an
eighth of an inch less white on the tip Of
his tail, but for all this l claim him for the
same. In January, when be is ranging
over the Berkeley hills in fiocks, gorging
on berries and rowing at his own sweet
will, he is perhaps less attractive than in
the summer time when the duties of home
are all engrossing, but am partial to him
even at this season, and rejoice with him
as he utters his high animated call-note,
| preparatory to launching forth on buoyant
wing.
The varied robin is exclusively bird of
the Pacific Coast. In some shady recess
amid the iiveoaks or laurels it lurks-silent,
retiring, specter-Hke. / have never heard it
utter a note. From its summer home in
the far north it has come for the winter,
but not like the common robin, full of Joy
and vivacity. Some deep, brooding sor-
row seems to have come upon it to quench
Its song and leave it meditative and lonely.
1t seldom congregates in flocks of any con-
siderable size, although two or three are as
a rule in the same vicinity. In size this
species is about the same as the common
robin, from which it may be instantly dis
tinguished, however, by the presence OF a
black crescent upon the breast extending
up the sides of the head. A conspicuous
stripe of buffy yellow or brown above the
eye is also distinguishing mark. The
throat and breast, except where black, are
of the same yellowish or orange brown
color, while the other species is brick red
or chestnut on the breast. The back of
both species is slate or plumbeous.
The wren tit does its best to atone for
the meditative ways of the varied robin.
Considerably less than half the size it is
nevertheless such busting little chatter
box that its presence is soon made mani
fest to the attentive seeker after bird lore
Search the world over and You will not