GOLDCREST. 5 1 



a hard season several of them perish with the cold. 

 In addition to those which stay with us, there is a 

 second migration to our country before winter of birds 

 which come down from the colder northern regions and 

 from the north of Europe. It is wonderful to think of 

 such a small pair of wings carrying the little bird over 

 such a journey. 



The Goldcrest frequents the larch and fir planta- 

 tions. He is very lively and restless, and is nearly 

 always seen hopping about from twig to twig, or cling- 

 ing to the end of some small sprig of fir, peeping 

 underneath for the insects which he loves to feed on. 

 Sometimes he will fly into the air and catch a passing 

 fly or gnat, just as a Flycatcher might. He is not a 

 bit shy, and any one approaching close to him will not 

 prevent him from continuing his search, as he flits 

 merrily about^ peeping everywhere for his prey. 



His song is very sweet, but naturally not very loud. 

 It can be caged, and will almost immediately make 

 itself at home, taking its food from one's hand ; but it 

 is a very delicate little bird, and is not likely to survive 

 the slightest injury. At the best one cannot expect 

 to keep it for more than a year or two. 



The nest is a most beautiful and pretty little piece 

 of work. It is generally suspended from under the 

 branch of a yew or fir tree by means of grass stalks 

 firmly fastened round. On these the nest is woven, made 

 of moss and wool or grass and lined with feathers. 

 It is somewhat like the nest of the Chaffinch in 

 appearance, but more spherical in shape with its 

 opening at the top. It is usually placed close to the 

 end of the bough, where it sways backwards and for- 

 wards with the wind ; indeed it is not an uncommon 

 thing for the bough to be blown so far down that the 



