26 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



GOLD CREST. 

 Case 35. 



This bird is plentiful from north to south, occurring 

 most frequently in the neighbourhood of large fir 

 plantations. Though it remains with us as a resident 

 throughout the year, I have noticed in several counties 

 that fresh arrivals take place in the autumn, and such 

 being the case I suppose a corresponding number 

 leave in the spring. 



I have never myself met with this species while 

 crossing the North Sea during the autumnal migration, 

 but several fishermen (who knew the bird well) have 

 assured me that scores have occasionally settled on 

 their boats to rest ; one man in particular stating 

 that they would roost all night in any shelter they 

 could find, some creeping into the blocks, where, he re- 

 marked, they would remain " weeping all night," and 

 in the morning would fly down and pick about on the 

 corks and other portions of the nets that were out of 

 water. As I discovered that they were known to the 

 men by the name of Herring Spink, I was particular 

 in inquiring whether they referred to the Chaffinch, 

 but I found they were well acquainted with that bird 

 also. I have, when cruising with the herring fleet in 

 the North Sea during the autumn, generally noticed 

 the Chaffinch as one of the most frequent visitors to 

 the boats. Some of them appear much distressed by 

 the journey, and after pecking about the deck for some 

 time, often go to sleep in an old fish-basket or any 

 quiet corner they can find. 



The masters of most of the light ships off the Norfolk 

 and Lincolnshire coasts have, for some time past, very 



