THE GOLDCREST 57 



— so bat-like and acute as to be inaudible to some 

 ears, and located with the greatest difficulty. As 

 likely as not the tiny bird is discovered much nearer 

 than was expected. It is a most trustful little 

 creature, and may be watched searching the twigs 

 and leaves in a variety of grotesque attitudes, with- 

 out exhibiting the slightest fear of man. Its activity 

 is great, and it soon passes on its way, flitting from 

 tree to tree in a wavering manner, followed by or 

 following its companions, now lost for the moment, 

 then appearing again where we might least have 

 expected it. This engaging bird is readily identified 

 by its glowing orange or lemon-coloured crest (the 

 latter tint being peculiar to the female), and this 

 striking decoration gleams with great brilliance in 

 the sunlight, rendering mistake impossible. In 

 autumn the Goldcrest becomes to a certain extent 

 gregarious ; but we think the resident individuals 

 are not so socially inclined as those other ones of 

 this species that come in flocks from over the sea. 

 These autumnal flights of Goldcrests do not appear 

 to reach South Devon, and here we do not remark 

 such gatherings as we were wont to do long years 

 ago in the woods of Yorkshire. The bird is fairly 

 common here, but it is generally seen in pairs, save 

 in the summer, when the broods and their parents 

 are wandering about in company. 



The Goldcrest is a songster of considerable merit, 

 but unfortunately he sings in too low a strain. His 



