The Fire-Crested Wren. 91 



have sometimes seen it, hanging with one leg from a drooping bough, picking 

 out the insects from a bud, it looks precisely like a Tit. Although we were in 

 these forests in May, the birds did not seem to have begun to breed." 



Other writers, however, state that the note of the Fire-crest is " not so 

 shrill " as that of the commoner species. 



The eggs, although averaging about the same number as those of the Gold- 

 crest, are, I believe invariably, redder than even the most rusty eggs of that 

 species, the markings usually covering their entire surface. 



Speaking of the nesting of this species, Howard Saunders remarks : — " 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." He continues thus: — "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 Gold-crests, 

 five or six together, would work steadily round the same bush, and, if I remained 

 quiet, would stop there for many minutes." 



Hewitson, in the third edition of his "Eggs of British Birds," states that the 

 " Rev. E. H. Brown has watched this species during the summer, near his 

 residence at Bio' Norton, in Norfolk, and has no doubt it breeds there." The 

 probability is that he was merely misled by brightly coloured examples of the 

 Gold-crest, not being aware of the true distinctive characters of the two species : 

 at any rate his supposition has not been confirmed. 



In an aviary the Fire-crest might be associated with the Gold-crest and 

 would require precisely the same treatment ; but it is not probable that many 

 Aviculturists will have an opportunity of obtaining it in this country. Dr. Russ 

 says that until recently it was supposed to be impossible to keep the European 

 species of Regulus for any length of time, but recently they have been fouud in 

 the care of a considerable number of aviarists ; he, however, considers their 

 habituation to confinement difficult. In disposition they are particularly gentle, 

 sociable and peaceable. 



