70 



THE FIRE-CRESTED REGULUS. 



FIRE-CRESTED REGULUS. 



THE FIRE-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus ignicapillus). 

 This species is about the same size as the previous one, 

 that is, nearly four inches in length ; in form and colour- 

 ing it is also very similar, but has a distinction in an 

 additional dusky band on each side of the head. British 

 naturalists have had few opportunities of observing the 

 habits of this bird, which are described by foreign authors 

 as similar to those of the Gold-crest, except that it does not 

 form large flocks, as that species frequently does. In this 

 country it has only been now and then taken as a straggler, 

 the first specimen shot was in the autumn of 1832. 

 The other instances of its occurrence mentioned have all 

 been on the eastern coast, whither the birds have probably 

 been driven, in the course of their autumnal migrations 

 southward. Temminck, who describes this bird as common 

 in the Belgian provinces, says, * I have never heard the 

 song of the Fire-crest, but have no doubt of its differing 

 from the others ; 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, is easily discovered. I have no 

 doubt but the Fire-crest would be found early in autumn, 



