THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 179 



THIS diminutive species is a quite common spring and 

 autumn visitor in New England, arriving from the 

 South from April the 13th to the 20th in the different States. 

 They are generally first seen in evergreen woods ; but 

 later are found among the opening foliage and blossoms of 

 forest and orchard trees, — particularly the oak, elm, maple, 

 and apple, — darting about, climbing on the small twigs, 

 and prying in all directions in search of minute flying 

 insects, their eggs and larvae, frequenting the tops of the 

 trees as well as the lower branches. By the 12tli of May, 

 they depart for the North to rear their young, — breeding 

 in Canada, Labrador, &c. From about the 1st of October 

 to the last of that month, they are again with us, and are 

 seen diligently engaged in pursuit of food in our woods and 

 orchards. 



They are not shy in their habits, and will permit one to 

 approach quite near them. I have noticed that they remain 

 in one cluster of twigs until it is completely cleared of 

 insects, and they often employ ten minutes in searching it 

 completely. 



The Ruby Crown winters in the more soutliern States of 

 tlie Union and in Mexico. On clear, fine days in spring, I 

 have heard this bird warble a beautiful song ; and it has 

 also a peculiar guttural, querulous call-note, which often 

 precedes this song. I know nothing of its breeding habits. 



EEGULUS SATRAPA. — Lklit. 

 The Golden-crested Wren, 



Refjulus satrapa, Lichtenstein. Verzeich. Doubl. (1823), No. 410 (Quotes Parvs 

 sntrapa, Illiger, — probably a museum name). Aud. Syn. (18.39), 82. lb., Birds 

 Amer., II. (1841) 165. 



Syli-in rerjulus, Wilson. Am. Orn., I. (1808) 126. 



Regulus tricolor, Nuttall. Man., I. (1832), 420. Aud. Orn. Biog., 11. (1834) 476. 



Description. 

 Above olivc-grecn, brifjlitcst on the outer edj;es of the wing; tail feathers tinged 

 with brownish-gray towards the head; forehead, a line over the ej'e and a space 



