454 BRITISH BIRDS. 
by having the space above the forehead separating the sides of the crest 
olive-brown instead of black. There appears to be only one species of 
Goldcrest, which is subject to considerable local variations, apparently 
only of subspecific value. In Japan a form having the nape greyish brown 
occurs (R. cristatus, var. japonicus). Examples from Asia Minor, Turkestan, 
and the Himalayas are intermediate. On the Azores a form is found haying 
the olive-green nape of R. cristatus, but with a much larger bill, the cul- 
men measuring *5 inch instead of *45 to 4. I propose to call this form 
Regulus cristatus, var. azoricus. In comparing Goldcrests from different 
localities it is important that examples of the same sex and season should 
be selected for comparison. Females seem always to be slightly greyer 
than males; and newly-moulted birds of both sexes in autumn plumage 
resemble each other much more closely than breeding birds. In some 
localities the olive-green appears to undergo very little change throughout 
the year, whilst in others it changes on the nape and upper back almost 
into a slate-grey before the breeding-season is over. 
The haunts of the Goldcrest are almost exclusively well-wooded districts ; 
for although often seen in the barest of situations, where small bushes 
take the place of trees, it is at a time when the birds are migrating, and, 
tired with their long flight, are glad to settle anywhere to rest ere passing 
on again. It is found perhaps the most commonly in larch- and fir-planta- 
tions and in dense shrubberies; it also frequents gardens, orchards, and 
birch-copses, and in autumn and winter may often be seen in company 
with Tits exploring the tall hedges in the fields. The low shrill call- 
note is generally the first intimation of the presence of the bird; so low 
and shrill does it sound that it is often difficult to discover the direction 
from which it is proceeding, and after a close search some twig vibrating 
attracts the attention, and eventually the little creature appears in sight. 
It is not necessary to hide for fear of alarming it as it hangs on some 
drooping branch; for it is one of the most trustful of birds, and will often 
search the twigs and branches within arm’s length of the observer without 
any show of fear. In its motions it very closely resembles a Tit or a 
Willow-Warbler, exploring the slender twigs, hanging from the drooping 
sprays, or going under the leaves in search of its food. One moment it 
will appear in the centre of the bush; the next it will be concealed from 
view near the roots, or daintily poised on the topmost twig. Then it 
passes on in unsteady flight to the next tree or bush, where the same 
motions are repeated, and the same low and piercing notes are given forth 
as it calls to its companions; for it is a very sociable little creature, ex- 
cept in the breeding-season, and often associates with Tits and Creepers. 
Perhaps the best place to study the habits of the Golderest is in fir- 
plantations, Perched, it may be, on the topmost twig of some wide- 
spreading fir it will sit and warble forth its notes, perhaps as it hangs 
