, / 





^,'r^."^> 5r>.f^^ 



THE aoiJ)i'N-ci;EsTEi) ^\■J;i;^■. 



This bird has been spoken of as a citizen of the world, being found not only iu Europe, 

 in North and South America, and the West Indies, but also in Africa and India. It is 

 au active, unsuspicious little creature, climbing over and sometimes hanging from the 

 branches of the pine, spruce, cedar, juniper, and other evergreens, in which it finds its 

 favourite haunts, and where it searches for the larv;^ of insects and for small flies which 

 form the staple of its food. Here, too, it finds a nook where it may hang its nest, Avliich 

 is formed outwardly of moss and lichens, and is lined warmly with down. Tlie female 

 lays six or eight white eggs. 



Dr. Latham remarks, in reference to this bird, "it seems to frequent the oak- trees in 

 preference to all others. I have more than once seen a brood of these in a large oak, in 

 the middle of the lawn, the whole little family of which, as soon as able, were in per- 

 petual motion, and gave great pleasure to many who viewed them. The nest of one of 

 these has also been made in a garden on a fir-tree ; it was composed of moss, the opening 

 on one side, and in shape roundish ; it was lined with a downy substance, fixed with 

 small filaments. It is said to sing very melodiously, very like the common Mn-en, but 

 weaker." t 



The golden- crested wren is about four inches long. Its back is a fine yellow oli^•e ; a 

 white line passes round the frontlet, extending over and beyond the eye on each side ; 

 above this another line or strip of deep black passes in the same manner, extending 

 further behind ; between these two strijJs of black lies a bed of glossy golden }'ello\\', 

 which, being parted a little, exposes another of a briglit flame colour, extending over the 

 whole upper part of the head. AVhcu the little warbler flits among the branches, in 



* Reeulus Cristalus. 



t Synopsis ii. oflO. 



