824 SYLVIAD^. 



Rhine ; but I could neitlier meet with this species, nor our 

 common Gold Crest. I have noticed the appearance of the 

 Fire Crest in the beginning of September, at first only 

 single birds or in pairs ; the end of September, and the first 

 fortnight in October, seem to be the time when they pass 

 over in the greatest numbers. I never recollect having seen 

 more than five or six individuals together, whereas with the 

 common species you often find them in parties of a dozen or 

 more. By the early part of November you will rarely find 

 the Fire Crest, while the common species is abundant 

 through the winter. I have never heard the song of the 

 Fire Crest, but have no doubt of its differing from the other ; 

 the call-note I can readily distinguish among a host of the 

 common ; it is shorter, not so shrill, and pitched in a different 

 key, that to one well versed in the language of birds it is 

 easily discovered. I think they prefer low brushwood and 

 young plantations of fir to the loftier trees ; but yet I have 

 often found them in the latter situations. They associate 

 with the Titmice like the other kind ; but I have found 

 them sometimes more restless and shy. I have no doubt 

 but the Fire Crest would be found early in autumn if dili- 

 gently sought for on our south-eastern coast by those well 

 conversant with its notes, without which knowledge it Avould 

 be difficult to find it ; when within a few yards of it this 

 bird is readily distinguished by the white mark above the 

 eyes." 



The beak is black, and rather stouter at the base than that 

 of the Gold Crest ; the irides hazel ; on the cheek above the 

 eye, and also below it, a greyish white streak ; at the base of 

 the crest on each side a black streak ; from the angle of the 

 beak to the eye, and over the ear-coverts, a second black 

 streak ; and from the lower mandible, passing downwards and 

 backwards, a third black streak, producing three dark lines 

 contrasted with the two light-coloured lines on the sides of 



