THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN. 271 



quai-ter. The beak is four lines, slender, very sharp, and 

 black, having the nostrils covered with a feather divided like 

 a comb ; the iris is dusky ; the shanks ai-e eight lines in height, 

 and bro^^^lish flesh-coloured ; the forehead is yellowish brown ; 

 a black streak extends from the corners of the beak to the 

 eyes, above which is a white streak, and below them a white 

 speck ; the top of the head is saflFron yellow, each side edged 

 with golden yellow, beyond which is a black band. 



The female has the top of the head golden yellow, the 

 forehead and wings grey. 



Habitation. — When wild these pretty little birds are difFiioed through- 

 out the old world, principally frequenting pine and fir foiests, and do not 

 appear to migrate, excepting those that inhabit northern countries, and go 

 towards the south in October, and return in March ; at least, they are 

 then observed on their passage, in Germany, the hedges being full of them 

 in spring ; but those established among us remain, as they are seen all the 

 year. They assemble in small flights in winter, and fly about here and 

 there, like the tits, seeking places where their food is most abundant. 



In the house a bell-shaped cage appears to suit them best. Several 

 may be kept together in a part of a room enclosed witli trellis work, and 

 •with a small fir tree for them to perch on. Reared from the nest, they 

 may be allowed to perch on a tree in the room, which they enjoy so much 

 that they are never far from it ; if there are many they will perch in a row, 

 press close side by side, and sleep in this manner. 



Food In the wild state it feeds on all kinds of small insects and 



their grubs ; they are, however, able to swallow large flies, as the beak 

 has a wide opening. 



In the house the gold-crests are soon accustomed to the nightingales* 

 paste, by throwing amongst it at first flies deprived of their wings, or half 

 dead, and at length they will be satisfied with bruised hemp-seed ; but 

 they must have insects occasionally, flies, meal-worms cut small, ants' eggs, 

 &c. ; finally, to keep them healthy, their paste should be neither too stiff 

 nor too moist, and care must be taken to avoid their swallowng rape or 

 camelin seed, which would immediately kill them *. 



Brekding. — The nest, fixed to the extremity of a branch, is round, and 

 very soft, built of moss, caterpillar's cocoons, and tufts of thistle down ; 

 it is generally found in low underwood or meadows with woods adjoining, 

 on the first tree towards the east. About nine eggs are laid, the size of a 

 pea, and pale blush red. Those young ones intended to be reared must 

 not be taken from the nest till they are fledged, and it is best to catch 



* One of these pretty birds, which I had in my room one winter, ate with 

 pleasure, and appeared to thrive upon, a very simple paste, made of the crumb of 

 white bread dried in an oven and powdered : a teaspoonful of this was put in a 

 cup, and three teaspoonfuls of milk, as hot as it could be made without boiUng, 

 poured over it. — Author. 



