THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN, 35 



horny casings the sloppy transition state, 

 when summer has not come, and winter has not 

 gone then it is our eyes, and hearts too, are 

 gladdened by the appearance of flights of birds ; 

 some passing on, others remaining to build, rear 

 their fledglings, and enjoy the northern sun- 

 shine. One of the earliest migrants is the Golden 

 Crest (Eegulus satrapa.) They are the most 

 sociable of birds, and evidently are fond of good 

 society, and plenty of it, until their domestic 

 duties demand a certain period of seclusion. 

 Then the tiny faithful couples leave their restless 

 friends, as their friends also leave each other; 

 by-and-by to join together again, reinforced 

 with hosts of Misses and Masters Wren, to in- 

 dulge in arboreal revels, until the rough autumnal 

 winds bids them depart for the more genial and 

 sunnier south. 



The Golden Crests are always, except during 

 the nesting-time, in company with the Tits 

 and Nuthatches. Flocks, consisting of fifty 

 or sixty, may be seen, completely making 

 the round of a prairie, travelling along from 

 bush to bush ; sometimes ascending into the pine- 

 trees, at others clinging to the slender stalks 

 of grass and wild flowers, even their diminutive 

 forms bending the fragile support to the ground 



D 2 



