PARID^E. 23 



the appearance of their first mature feathers, and 

 continue singing all the month of October, some- 

 times with scarcely any intermission, for several hours 

 together. 



GOLDEN CRESTED REGULUS (Regulus cristatus). 

 Local names, Golden Crested Wren, Gold Crest, 

 Kinglet. Generally distributed throughout both 

 counties. This pretty little warbler frequents large 

 woods and fir plantations, and has a pleasing gentle 

 song. A few remain to breed, but the greater number 

 are winter visitors, at which season of the year many 

 arrive in small parties of five or six from the north, 

 apparently unable to endure severe weather. 



The nest of this bird is one of the most beautiful of 

 all nests. It is generally found suspended gracefully to 

 the end of a fir-branch, supported by three or more of 

 the over-hanging twigs, and composed of moss, wool, 

 fibres, and lichens, hair or feathers being used for a 

 lining. The egg is the smallest laid by any British 

 bird, but varies in size as well as in shade of colour. 



Family PARID^E. 



GREAT TIT (Par us major). Local names, Great 

 Titmouse, Ox-eye, Tom-tit, Black-cap. One of our com- 

 monest residents, inhabiting hedge-rows, gardens, 

 woods, and lanes. This handsome little bird may at 

 one time be seen ascending an old decayed tree by 

 the road-side with the agility of the creeper in search 



