G-olden-crested Wren. 277 



road-side hovering like the kestrel, a foot or so high, 

 and then suddenly dropping like stones : they are 

 then so absorbed that they will scarcely fly away on 

 your approach. At the same time a rather long red 

 fly is abundant in the grass, and may be the attrac- 

 tion. The swift's long narrow wings shut behind 

 him as if with a sharp snip, cutting the air like 

 shears ; and then, holding them extended, he glides 

 like a quoit. 



In old days men used to be on the watch about 

 the time of the great race-meetings, in order to shoot 

 at every pigeon that went past, in hope of finding a 

 message attached to the bird, and so getting the 

 advantage of early intelligence. In one such case I 

 heard of, the pigeon had the name of the winner, 

 and was shot on a tree where it had alighted, weary 

 from want of food or uncertain as to its course. 



The golden-crested wren smallest of the birds 

 scarcely ever leaves the shelter of the hedges and 

 trees. The crest or top-knot is not exactly golden, 

 but rather orange ; and as the body of the tiny crea- 

 ture is dusky in hue, the bright color on its head 

 shines like flame in contrast. By this ruddy lamp 

 upon its head the wren may be discovered hidden 

 deep in the intricate mazes of the thorn bushes, where 

 otherwise it would be difficult to find it. These 

 wrens are usually in pairs ; I have seldom seen one 

 by itself. The}' are not rare, and yet are comparatively 

 little seen, and must I think travel a good deal. All 

 the same, they have their favorite places ; there was 

 one hedge where, if the bird was anywhere in the 

 neighborhood, I could feel sure of finding him. It 

 was very thick and entirely of hawthorn and black- 

 thorn, and divided two water-meadows. 



