410 REGULUS AURICAPILLUS. 



others of more frequent occurrence have the head and part of 

 the plumage of a whitish colour ; and frequently the feathers of 

 the crest are of a livid yellow." Montagu also informs us that 

 " a pair in the collection of Mr Luscombe, of Kingsbridge, 

 are of a cream colour, with the usual yellow crown, by which 

 the two sexes are distinguished." 



Habits. — This lively little creature is a permanent resident 

 in Britain, where it is generally distributed. It occurs abun- 

 dantly in most parts of Scotland, where it is usually seen in 

 woods of fir, pine, and larch, more especially in those of Pinus 

 sylvestris, although I have often met with it among birch, oak, 

 and other trees. It gives no preference to tall over stunted 

 trees, but may as often be met with in a young plantation as 

 in an old wood ; and I have seen individuals even alight on 

 broom bushes, in the neighbourhood of their favourite places 

 of resort. Essentially gregarious, you never meet with it but 

 in flocks, even in the breeding season, and in winter it forms 

 extensive associations, which shift about continually from place 

 to place. 



While engaged in searching for food, the Kinglets inces- 

 santly emit a single shrill and feeble note, like the cry of a 

 Shrewmouse, by which they are easily discovered in the woods, 

 where it would otherwise be very difficult to trace them. They 

 are continually in motion, fluttering from branch to branch, 

 seldom hopping without using their wings, clinging to the twigs 

 and leaves in every variety of attitude, and often hanging with 

 their back undermost, in the manner of the Tits. They are 

 far from being shy under any circumstances, but allow a per- 

 son to approach within a few yards. In fact, they seem to pay 

 no attention to an intruder, being apparently so busily occupied 

 as to disregard every thing except the objects of their search. 

 When a shot is fired at one, the rest do not fly off, so that a 

 person, on falling in with a flock, may generally procure as 

 many as he wishes. They fly with a fluttering motion, and 

 without undulation, when the distance is short ; but when 

 moving from one wood to another their flight is rapid and un- 

 dulated. 



