58 FIRE-CRESTED WREN. 



in winter by migrants from the north. In Madeira it is represented 

 by Ji. 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 is distinguished by Mr. Seebohm as R. teneriffce. 



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

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

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

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

 the nest being seldom found in pines or 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 its 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 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 

 zit^ zit. 



The adult male has a yellowish frontal band prolonged into a 

 white streak passing above and behind each eye, and separating a 

 parallel black line through and behind the eye, from the broader and 

 blacker upper bands on each side, 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 Gold-crest ; 

 another important characteristic being the sulphur-green tint on the 

 sides of the neck and shoulders. P>om the gape runs a third 

 black streak which may be called the moustache. 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 bufifish-white ; bill black ; legs and feet brown. The 

 female differs in having a paler crest ; while the young have no crest 

 at all until after the first moult, but the characteristic triple band is 

 always present. Length 3 "8 in. ; wing 2 in. 



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 ! 



