SYLVIIN.t. 57 













THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



Regulus cristatus, K. L. Koch. 



This tiniest of British, and indeed of European birds, is generally 

 distributed throughout our islands; breeding, as a rule, wherever it is 

 found, except in the Outer Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands, which 

 it visits, but in which there are few plantations of conifers to invite 

 its residence. On the mainland of Scotland there has been a marked 

 increase in its numbers of late years, owing to the cultivation of firs 

 and larches. It has been noticed since 1822 that in autumn immense 

 flocks sometimes arrive on our east coast, extending quite across 

 England and St. George's Channel into Ireland; in 1882 a migration- 

 wave of this description, commencing on August 6th and lasting 92 

 days, reached from the Channel to the Faeroes; in 1883 the migration 

 lasted 82 days ; and again, in 1884, for a period of 87 days. Similar 

 'waves' passed over Heligoland, with the exception of the last year, 

 when, strange to say, the numbers were below the average. An 

 unusual spring 'rush' took place in March and April, 1882. On 

 such occasions bushes in gardens on the coast are covered with birds 

 as with a swarm of bees ; crowds flutter round the lanterns of light- 

 houses, and the rigging of fishing-smacks in the North Sea is 

 thronged with weary travellers. In April a return migration ensues. 



