GOLDCREST. 



457 



attracted by the dazzling glare of the lantern. I have also seen great 

 numbers on Heligoland on migration, where many fall victims to the 

 blowpipe-shooters. 



The general colour of the upper parts of the European form of the 

 Goldcrest is olive-green, more or less suffused with yellow according to 

 the season, being brightest in autumn ; extending from each side of the 

 forehead are two black streaks, which gradually widen and enclose a bright 

 orange-yellow patch which covers the crown and forms a crest. The wings 

 and tail are brown margined with yellowish green ; the primary -coverts 

 are dark brown ; and the median and greater wing-coverts are tipped with 

 white, forming two white bars across the wings. The general colour of 

 the underparts is greyish brown. Bill very dark brown ; legs, feet, and 

 claws brown ; irides hazel. The female has the colours less brilliant than 

 the male, and the crest is lemon-yellow. The young in nestling plumage 

 have no trace of black or yellow on the crown, the head being almost 

 uniform with the back. 



GOLDCREST'S XEST. 



