THE GOLDCREST 



of these are its annual migrations. Many individuals of 

 this species are apparently resident in our country, but 

 in autumn these numbers are increased by vast hosts of 

 Goldcrests from Continental Europe, and there can be 

 little doubt that most of the birds seen in London are 

 part of them. That the Metropolis is in the direct path 

 of many migrating Goldcrests seems proved by the 

 frequency of their occurrence during the season of migra- 

 tion ; and it may be recalled with interest that an example 

 was once found in the Great Wheel which used to stand 

 in the Exhibition grounds at Earl's Court. I have seen 

 this species myself in the trees in the gardens there. The 

 Goldcrest is very Tit-like in its habits, not so much 

 because of its affinity with those birds, but because it lives 

 on similar food and searches for it in the same way and 

 in the same places. It is by no means a shy bird, but its 

 restlessness seldom allows one to observe it for long 

 in the same spot. Tit-like, it explores the branches 

 of the trees and clings to the slender twigs, searching 

 the lower bushes, hidden in their tangled recesses, 

 or for a fleeting moment appearing in view on the 

 outer sprays ; then flitting to the trees one after the 

 other in a twittering, straggling train, uttering a singularly 

 low and piercing call-note, pitched so high as to be abso- 

 lutely inaudible to many ears. During summer the bird 

 lives in pairs, but in autumn and winter consorts in parties, 

 and very frequently accompanies Titmice in their wan- 

 derings. It subsists on insects, larvae, and tiny seeds, 

 those of the birch and alder being eagerly sought. It 

 breeds in April or May, usually selecting a fir of some 

 kind or a yew, from a branch of which it suspends ham- 

 mock-wise its beautiful little, almost globular nest, the 

 surrounding foliage being deftly interwoven with the 

 materials. This is made of moss and lichens, bound 

 together with cobwebs, and plentifully lined with hair 

 and feathers. The six or eight eggs are pale reddish white, 



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