66 THE BIRDS OF KENT 



hoppers and the wing-case of a small green beetle. When 

 I fired the first time it uttered a cry somewhat similar 

 to the squeak of a mouse."— H. Whitely, jun., Woolwich, 

 October 20, 1863 {Zoologist, 1863, p. 8819). 



Genus REGULUS, Cuvier. 

 GOLDCEEST. 



Begulus regulus (Linnaeus). /S'.iV., i., p. 338 (1766). 



The Goldcrest is generally distributed throughout the 

 county of Kent, and it breeds in most of the districts, 

 especially where fir trees are abundant ; in these locali- 

 ties it may be found more or less all the year round. 

 It is more conspicuous in autumn, winter and spring, 

 when the trees have lost their foliage, then it may be 

 seen searching for insects in every cone and bud of fir 

 and oak tree. 



On March 10 one was obtained in Burnt Oak Wood, 

 and several others were seen, and on the 19th of the 

 same month another was obtained on the railway em- 

 bankment at Horton Green. It was seen feeding in 

 the trees in the garden of the rectory at Ruckinge on 

 October 28, and it was not noticed again until March 10. 



This species is included in Boys' Histonj of Sandwich, 

 1792. It is found in the Bethersden district, according 

 to Captain J. D. Cameron. Mr. J. W. Hulke, in his 

 list of Dates of the Arrival of Wi7iter Visitors to Deal, 

 gives October 13 for the Goldcrest. Writing in 1854, 

 Mr. C. CoUingwood states that the " Goldcrest in the 

 neighbourhood of Blackhealth, recommenced to sing on 

 September 12." Mr. H. Lamb, in his notes, says : " This 



