THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 35 
horny casings—the sloppy transition _ state, 
when summer has not come, and winter has not 
gone—then it is our eyes, and hearts too, are 
gladdened by the appearance of flights of birds; 
some passing on, others remaining to build, rear 
their fledglings, and enjoy the northern sun- 
shine. One of the earliest migrants is the Golden 
Crest (Regulus satrapa.) They are the most 
sociable of birds, and evidently are fond of good 
society, and plenty of it, until their domestic 
duties demand a certain period of seclusion. 
Then the tiny faithful couples leave their restless 
friends, as their friends also leave each other; 
by-and-by to join together again, reinforced 
with hosts of Misses and Masters Wren, to in- 
dulge in arboreal revels, until the rough autumnal 
winds bids them depart for the more genial and 
sunnier south. 
The Golden Crests are always, except during 
the nesting-time, in company with the Tits 
and Nuthatches. Flocks, consisting of fifty 
or sixty, may be seen, completely making 
the round of a prairie, travelling along from 
bush to bush; sometimes ascending into the pine- 
trees, at others clinging to the slender stalks 
of grass and wild flowers, even their diminutive 
forms bending the fragile support to the ground— 
D2 
