THE GOLD-CRESTED KINGLET. 121 



most part of the insects abounding amongst the buds and 

 twigs of trees, as well as those flying through the air, 

 hence his food is always attainable (and this doubtless is 

 the reason he remains throughout the winter months), 

 and his young can be reared so early in the season. 



The fir woods and deepest shrubberies are the breed- 

 ing grounds of the Gold Crest. Early, very early in 

 April, sometimes even in March, we hear the love song of 

 the male, perhaps as he hangs suspended and head down- 

 wards from a drooping spray, or amongst the gloomy 

 branches hidden from view, or not unfrequently when fly- 

 ing through the air. The song itself is a shrill though 

 pleasing one, and when coupled with the plaintive notes of 

 the Willow Warbler, forms music as rich and sweet as 

 any the grove can boast. The nest of this species is as 

 charming in its beauty as its little owners. It is most 

 frequently placed upon the drooping end of a fir bough, 

 or sometimes amongst the feathery foliage of the yew. 

 Picture to yourself a green mossy Chaffinch's nest with- 

 out the lichens, and you have a tolerably good idea of 

 the Gold Crest's cradle, with this exception, that the nest 

 is partially a domed one. The foliage on the selected 

 branch is woven skilfully amongst the materials of the 

 nest. It is lined with a thick and downy bed of feathers, 

 and the eggs are from five to eight in number. As you 

 may suppose, the eggs are very small, far smaller than a 

 Wren's, and of a delicate reddish-white, speckled with 

 tiny red marks, although some specimens are pure and 

 spotless. Mimicry is the Gold Crest's form of protective 

 instinct, and note how well she follows it, her nest appear- 

 ing nought but a tangled mass of foliage. The Gold 

 Crest is also a close sitter, and one of the most trustful 

 birds whilst nesting that I am acquainted with ; for the 

 mother bird will often only quit her home when the 



