WARBLERS. 137 



longer, and somewhat wider at the base; the tuft of silky feathers on 

 the head is larger, and the tail a little longer." 



The Rev. Leonard Jenyns first made the Firecrest known as a British 

 species, having obtained a specimen in his garden at Swaffham Bulbeck, 

 near Cambridge, in the month of August, 1832. It was a young bird, 

 and had probably been reared in the neighbourhood. Since that time 

 others have been observed at Brighton, in Sussex, and one was caught 

 on the rigging of a ship five miles off the coast of Norfolk in the early 

 part of October, 1836. A specimen was also procured at Yarmouth in 

 November, 1843, and another near Durham. Mr.E.H.Rodd, of Penzance, 

 states in the "Zoologist" "that this species frequents that neighbourhood, 

 chiefly at Larrigan Valley, every year about the beginning of December, 

 and that one was killed near Marazion in 1852. In Scotland it is stated 

 to have been met with in Sutherlandshire, but no instances are recorded 

 of its having been found in Wales or Ireland. On the Continent 

 it has been observed in the extensive forests of Germany, and in 

 Belgium, France, and Switzerland. 



Like the Goldcrests, these little birds are of extremely active and 

 restless habits, but they are not nearly so bold, and do not keep in 

 such large flocks. They frequent woods and plantations, appearing to 

 prefer young firs and brushwood to lofty trees. Temminck, who 

 describes this bird as a migratory species in the Belgian provinces, 

 says, "I have never heard the song of the Firecrest, but I can readily 

 distinguish its call-note among a host of the common Goldcrests ; it is 

 shorter, not so shrill, and pitched in a different key, that to one well 

 versed in the language of birds it is easily discovered." 



The nest is said to be built of moss, wool, and grass, and lined 

 with fur and feathers; it is suspended from the branch of a fir or 

 other tree. A specimen found by M. Vieillot near Rouen contained 

 five eggs, but as many as eight or ten are stated to be sometimes 

 laid. They are generally of a pale reddish yellow tint, minutely 

 speckled with yellowisli grey at the larger end, but vary much both 

 in colour and size. 



IN CONFINEMENT. 



SWEET recommends the Wood Warbler as a very desirable bird to 

 keep in confinement, as it is both elegant in form and plumage, and 

 has a pleasant and singular song. It is best reared if taken when 

 young in the nest, which should be placed in a covered backet nearly 



T 



