THE GOLDCREST 



Regulus cristatus 



As questions of classification do not come within 

 the scope of the present work, we need have no 

 hesitation in placing the present bird in such close 

 proximity with the Warblers, with which birds it 

 has much in common, although by many authorities 

 it is included with the Tits. After all there is 

 something very Willow Warbler-like in its habits, 

 appearance, and organization, so with the Warblers 

 it shall stay for our present purpose. Unlike all 

 the other species which we have described hitherto, 

 the Goldcrest is a resident in the British Islands. 

 It should, however, be remarked that this species 

 visits our area, often in vast numbers, from conti- 

 nental Europe every autumn, but the individuals that 

 breed with us appear to be sedentary. The Gold- 

 crest is found practically throughout the British 

 Islands wherever there are suitable haunts to shelter 

 it, and these appear only to be wanting in the Outer 

 Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands. Outside 



