SYLVllN.E 55 



THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



Regulus cristatus, K. L. Koch. 



I'his tiniest of British, and indeed of European birds, is generally 

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

 found, with the exception of the Outer Hebrides, Orkneys and 

 Shetlands, in which there are as yet few or no coniferous plantations 

 suitable to its requirements. Even 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. In autumn immense 

 flocks sometimes arrive on our east coast, extending quite across 

 England, and the Irish Channel, and into Ireland. In 1882 a migra- 

 tion-wave of this description, commencing on August 6th and 

 lasting 92 days, reached from the Channel to the Fa2roes ; 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 INIarch and April 1S82. On such occasions bushes in 

 gardens on the coast arc covered with birds as with a swarm of 

 bees ; crowds flutter round the lanterns of lighthouses ; and the 

 rigging of fishing-smacks in the Nortli Sea is thronged with weary 

 travellers. In April a return migration occurs. 



