216



The Golden-crested Wren.



Collection of the Milan Museum under the number 17,630. Although

recent travellers in North-West Africa do not appear to have met

with the species, but only with the Fire-crest, it seems, nevertheless,

probable that the Gold-crest also occurs throughout the country

north of the Atlas, if not as a resident, or even as a regular winter

migrant, at any rate as an occasional visitor in severe winters. In

Sicily and Malta, so near the African continent, the species occurs

regularly as a winter migrant, and in the former of these islands it is

said to be partially resident.”


Speaking of it as observed in Great Britain, Dr. Ticehurst

says (‘ History of the Birds of Kent,’ p. 44) : “ It is generally looked

upon as a resident species, and, I think, in some localities, where

there are plenty of firs affording warm shelter and a sufficient winter

food supply, that it may be so. In others which are more exposed to

the cold winds, or where other conditions are perhaps less favourable,

a great deal of local migration takes place, and probably a good many

of these birds leave us and go to the Continent in autumn. Several

of my correspondents have remarked on this, and have noted that

the birds generally leave in November or December and return in

February or March.


“ On the other hand, there is very little evidence at present of

any extensive autumn migration past the Kent light stations, such as

takes place on the western half of the south coast. Not only are

there these movements among our local residents, but a considerable

influx of birds from northern counties takes place at different times;

but the movements appear to be irregular, and dependent on weather

conditions and food supply in the places whence they come. These

visitors leave by the beginning of April.


“ In the county generally the numbers are greater in winter

than in summer.”


I have always believed that the migratory instinct was greatly

influenced by the food supply; indeed, I do not see how otherwise

one could explain the tardy migration of some of our British birds

when the autumn and early winter months have been mild. The

only puzzle is why, when many birds of a species travel to the

Continent at the approach of winter, a considerable number should

stay behind to struggle for existence against our climate. If birds



