GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 329 



of a mouse; though where it breeds the male is said to have a 

 variety of sprightly notes. It builds its nest frequently on the 

 branches of an evergreen, covers it entirely round, leaving a 

 small hole on one side for entrance, forming it outwardly of 

 moss and lichens, and lining it warmly with down. The female 

 lays six or eight eggs, pure white, with a few minute specks of 

 dull red. Dr. Latham, on whose authority this is given, ob- 

 serves, " it seems to frequent the oak trees in preference to all 

 others. I have more than once seen a brood of these in a large 

 oak in the middle of a lawn, the whole little family of which, 

 as soon as able, were in perpetual motion, and gave great plea- 

 sure to many who viewed them. The nest of one of these has 

 also been made in a garden on a fir tree; it was composed of 

 moss, the opening on one side, in shape roundish; it was lined 

 with a downy substance, fixed with small filaments. It is said 

 to sing very melodiously, very like the Common Wren, but 

 weaker."* In Pennsylvania they continue with us from Octo- 

 ber to December, and sometimes to January. 



The Golden-crested Wren is four inches long, and six inches 

 and a half in extent; back a fine yellow olive; hind head and 

 sides of the neck inclining to ash; a line of white passes round 

 the frontlet extending over and beyond the eye on each side; 

 above this another line or strip of deep black passes in the same 

 manner, extending farther behind; between these two strips of 

 black lies a bed of glossy golden yellow, which being parted a 

 little, exposes another of a bright flame colour, extending over 

 the whole upper part of the head; when the little warbler flits 

 among the branches in pursuit of insects, he opens and shuts 

 this golden ornament with great adroitness, which produces a 

 striking and elegant effect; lores marked with circular points of 

 black; below the eye is a rounding spot of dull white; from the 

 upper mandible to the bottom of the ear feathers runs a line of 

 black, accompanied by another of white from the lower man- 

 dible; breast light cream colour; sides under the wings and vent 

 the same; wings dusky, edged exteriorly with yellow olive; 



* Synopsis IT, 509. 

 VOL. II. T t 





