SYLVIAM. 



oval, partly covered by small feathers directed forwards. Wings of moderate 

 length : the first quill-feather very short ; the second shorter than the third ; 

 the fourth or fifth the longest in the wing. Legs rather slender ; feet with 

 three toes before, one behind; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle 

 toe; claws curved and sharp. 



THE term Regulus proposed for the little Gold Crest by 

 our countryman Ray, lias recently been adopted by several 

 Naturalists both on the Continent and in England with 

 generic distinction, and M. Temminck, in the Third Part 

 or Supplement to the Land Birds of his Manual, though 

 not in the Manual itself, has fallen into the views of mo- 

 dern authorities by also admitting and recording this genus, 

 of which six species are now known, three belonging to 

 North America, and three others to Europe. 



These little birds exhibit many of the habits of the 

 smaller warblers already described, and also many of the 

 actions of the various species of the genus Parus, or Tits, 

 which will be arranged here immediately after them. The 

 little Golden-crested Regulus, or Kinglet, the subject of 

 the present notice, has a soft and pleasing song, somewhat 

 like that of the common Wren. Pennant says he has ob- 

 served this bird suspended in the air for a considerable time 

 over a bush in flower, whilst it sang very melodiously ; but 

 as its voice is not strong, it is necessary to be advantage- 

 ously placed to hear it in perfection. The call-note of this 

 little bird is like that of the common Creeper. This spe- 

 cies is most frequently to be observed in fir plantations, 

 where these diminutive creatures, one of the smallest 

 among our indigenous birds, may be seen, all life and 

 activity, hopping from branch to branch, and clinging to 

 them in various positions, sometimes with their backs 

 downwards, busily engaged seeking various small-winged 

 insects, or their hidden larva, as food, occasionally eating 

 also a few seeds or small berries. They remain in this 

 country all the year through ; and are even observed to be 



