COMMON GOLD-CREST. 157 



they may frequently be seen associated. Their 

 note of alarm, generally uttered on the approach 

 of a stranger, is a shrill " cheep w frequently re- 

 peated ; when feeding undisturbed, it consists 

 of a few low notes, or a short not unpleasing 

 song. The Common Gold- Crest breeds early, 

 and forms a beautifully constructed nest, gene- 

 rally interwoven near the end of the branch of 

 some pine or fir, and shewing a half pendulous 

 structure. It is formed principally, where we 

 have seen it, of the green mosses or hypni, 

 softly lined inside, and contains from seven to 

 eleven or twelve eggs, rather round in form, and 

 of a hair brown tint, darkest at the larger extre- 

 mity. The parent birds are bold and familiar, 

 and will even continue on the branch while the 

 nest is inspected, uttering shrill and distressing 

 cries, and erecting the crest as if wishful to attack 

 the aggressor. The young brood continues toge- 

 ther until about November, the time of migration, 

 when our accession of numbers arrives, and when 

 it is possible some may also depart and perform 

 a partial journey ; during winter they are gene- 

 rally seen in pairs plying their search after insects, 

 and in stormy weather hunting among the lowest 

 branches of the firs and brushwood. 



The extra British distribution of this bird is 

 somewhat extended. It inhabits Northern Europe 

 generally,* and it is perhaps from this range that 



* Mr Hewitson noticed it in the pine forests of Norway . 

 See British Oology, and Mag. of Zool. and Bot. II. 

 p. 313. 



