. ' Species IV. SYLVIA REGULUS. 



GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



[Plate VIII. Fig. 2.J 

 Motacilla regulus, Linn. Syst. i., 338, 48. — Lath. Sijn. iv., 508, 145. — Edw. 254. 



This diminutive species is a frequent associate of the one last 

 described, and seems to be almost a citizen of the world at large, hav- 

 ing been found not only in North and South America, the West Indies 

 and Europe, but even in Africa and India. The specimen from Europe, 

 in Mr. Peale's collection, appears to be nothing specifically different 

 from the American ; and the very accurate description given of this 

 bird by the Count de Bufibn, agrees in every respect with ours. Here, 

 as in Europe, it is a bird of passage, making its first appearance in 

 Pennsylvania early in April, among the blossoms of the maple, often 

 accompanied by the Ruby-crowned Wren, Avhich, except in the mark- 

 ings of the head, it very much resembles. It is very frequent among 

 evergreens, such as the pine, spruce, cedar, juniper, &c., and in the fall 

 is generally found in company with the two species of Titmouse, Brown 

 Creeper, and small Spotted Woodpecker. It is an active, unsuspicious, 

 and diligent little creature, climbing and hanging, occasionally, among 

 the branches, and sometimes even on the body of the tree, in search of 

 the larvae of insects, attached to the leaves and stems, and various kinds 

 of small flies, which it frequently seizes on wing. As it retires still 

 farther north to breed, it is seldom seen in Pennsylvania from May to 

 October ; but is then numerous in orchards, feeding among the leaves 

 of the apple trees, which, at that season, are infested with vast numbers 

 of small black winged insects. Its chirp is feeble, not much louder than 

 that of a mouse ; though where it breeds the male is said to have a 

 variety of sprightly notes. It builds its nest frequently on the branches 

 of an evergreen, covers it entirely round, leaving a small hole on one 

 side for entrance, forming it outwardly of moss and lichens, and lining 

 it warmly with down. The female lays six or eight eggs, pure Avhite, 

 with a few minute specks of dull red. Dr. Latham, on whose authority 

 this is given, observes, " It seems to frequent the oak trees in preference 

 to all othei'S. I have more than once seen a brood of these in a large 

 oak in the middle of a lawn, the whole little family of Avhich, as soon as 

 able, were in perpetual motion, and gave great pleasure to many who 

 viewed them. The nest of one of these has also been made in a garden 



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