GOLDCREST— FIRECREST— WREJST 127 



numbers of goldcrests visit Malta in spring and autumn on their journey to and 

 from northern Africa. 



Closely allied to the last is the firecrest (R. ignicapillus), 

 which is more of a bird-of-passage, arriving in central Europe in 

 March and April, and leaving in September and October for milder climates. It 

 is resident in southern Europe, and breeds in France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, 

 Turkey, and south Russia. In England it is known as a winter visitor, and is 

 not found so far north as the goldcrest, from which it is distinguished by two 

 more dark streaks through and below the eye, the goldcrest having one and 

 the firecrest three streaks. A trifle larger than the goldcrest, it breeds twice 



THE GOLDCREST. 



a year, once between the end of April and the end of May, and again in the 

 beginning of July. It nests in pine-trees and yews, the nest being similar to 

 that of the goldcrest, and hung in the same way. The eggs are smaller than 

 those of any European bird except the goldcrest : the goldcrest's eggs are white 

 mottled with red, those of the firecrest are greyish or pale chocolate dotted 

 with reddish brown. 



The wrens are distinguished from the warblers by their upper 

 wing-coverts, which are mostly longer than the lower ones, and 

 their rounded concave wings. Their plumage is soft and long, especially on the 

 tail, which is carried nearly upright. Their food consists chiefly of insects and 

 worms, but also includes soft fruits and berries. Wrens are distributed all over 

 the world, but are more numerous in tropical than in temperate climates, the 



