6o FIRE-CRESTED WREN. 



the year ; its numbers being augmented in winter by migrants 

 from the north. In Madeira it is represented by R. maderensis, 

 with dull-gold crest, dark grey nape, and no black streak behind the 

 eye ; while a form with greyish-white lores found in the Canaries 

 was distinguished by Seebohm as -R. teneriffce. 



The nest of the Fire-crest is similar to that of the Golden-crest ; 

 but the 7-10 eggs may always be recognized by the much redder 

 tinge of their ground-colour and spots : measurements '52 by "42 in. 

 In Germany the branches of a fir-tree are almost invariably selected, 

 the nest being seldom found in larches ; and the same trees are 

 frequented year after year. In the above country nesting does 

 not begin before May ; but in the south of Spain the young are 

 able to fly by the middle of that month. Insects and spiders 

 constitute the food. In the Pyrenees, with excellent opportunities 

 for observing the habits of both species, I noticed that the Fire- 

 crest was much more restless and erratic in its movements, darting 

 away suddenly after a very short stay upon the gorse-bush or tree 

 where it was feeding, and being often seen alone or in parties of two 

 or three at most ; whereas the Golden-crests, five or six together, 

 would work steadily round the same bush, and, if I remained quiet, 

 would stop there for many minutes. The note of the Fire-crest is 

 a soft s/V, zit. 



The adult male has a golden frontal band, which unites on each 

 side with a white streak passing above and behind the eye, and 

 separating a parallel black line from the broader and blacker upper 

 bands which enclose the rich orange yellow crest. This black line 

 through the eye is one of the principal features which distinguish 

 the Fire-crest from the Golden-crest; another important characteristic 

 being the sulphur-green tint on the sides of the neck and shoulders. 

 From the gape runs a third and smaller black streak. Mantle olive- 

 green ; wings and tail brown, margined with yellowish-green ; the 

 former doubly barred on the upper parts with brown and white ; 

 under parts dull buffish-white ; bill black ; legs and feet brown. 

 Length 37 in.; wing 2\ in. The female differs in having a paler 

 crest. The young bird has no crest until after the first moult, but 

 the characteristic triple band is always indicated. 



An example of the American Ruby-crowned Wren, R, calendula, 

 now in the British Museum, is said to have been shot near Loch 

 Lomond in 1852, by the late Dr. Dewar, in whose cabinet this very 

 conspicuous bird lay unrecorded for six years, when it was recognized 

 by the late R. Gray ! 



