66 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



spots of white on longest quills, the latter tipped with 

 white ; belly and under tail-coverts, black ; irides, brown ; 

 bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about six inches. The 

 adult female in summer is similar to the male. 



3firecre6t 



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The Firecrest {Regmus ignicapillus, Brehm) is an abnormal 

 autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles, and is a 

 resident in most of temperate Europe, but does not travel 

 so far northwards as the golden-crested wren. The adult 

 male is " above, olive-green ; brighter on sides of neck ; 

 frontal band and sides of face, whitish, with a black line 

 through the eye ; centre of crown, orange-yellow, bordered 

 by a broad black line on either side; ear-coverts, slaty; 

 wings and tail, dark brown, with pale margins, crossed by 

 two white bars; beneath, dull buffish-white." Irides, hazel; 

 bill, legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, about three 

 inches. The female is duller. 



