In late summer and autumn the family groups wander about among the trees, searching for caterpillars and insect eggs, and calling sociably to one another.
The Carolina Chickadee (Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis), a slightly smaller species, with almost precisely the same coloration as the Black-capped Chickadee, is to be found locally in the southernmost counties.
GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET
Regulus regulus satrapa Lichtenstein
Description.—Size very small, one of our smallest birds; tail somewhat forked. Male: Center of crown red-orange, bordered with yellow which sometimes conceals the orange, and with black; line above eye whitish; rest of upperparts olive-gray; wings with an indistinct bar; tail and rump with greenish edgings; underparts pale gray, washed with olive and dull yellowish. Length: 4 inches.
Range in Pennsylvania.—A common migrant and winter resident from about the first of October to the end of April. It has been known to nest in the higher mountains but it is exceedingly rare as a summer bird.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is most noticeable as a winter bird when many of our familiar species are to the southward. It is a tiny bit of feathers, and as it perches on its slender legs it seems to be too fragile to endure the snow and cold weather. The call-note is a short lisping tsee, repeated three or four times. In spring it gives a song which starts with several wiry notes resembling one note given by the Chickadee and ending with an abbreviated series of chips. Golden-crowns like to hunt for food in coniferous trees.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
Corthylio calendula calendula (Linnæus)
Description.—Size very small, tail somewhat forked. Adult male: Grayish olive above, grayest on head, greenest on rump; crown with brilliant red patch which is sometimes concealed; wings with two indistinct bars; underparts soiled white, washed with faint yellowish and olive. Length: 4½ inches.
Range in Pennsylvania.—A migrant, usually common, from mid-April to mid-May, and from mid-September to latter October.
The song of the tiny Ruby-crown is amazingly loud and brilliant, and as the little creature sings, it may lift and fan out its startling crest. It is usually to be found in small trees or thickets, where it flits about, snapping up insects, and it often comes close at hand, when its bright eyes have a staring quality. Occasionally, it flicks its wings. Its alarm-note may be written chŭ-dah, rapidly given.