66 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



spots of white on longest quills, the latter tipped with 

 white; belly and under tail-coverts, black; irides, brown; 

 bill, legs, and feet, black. Length, about six inches. The 

 adult female in summer is similar to the male. 



3firccrc0t 



THE Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus, Brehm) is an abnormal 

 autumn and winter migrant to the British Isles, and is a 

 resident in most of temperate Europe, but does not travel 

 so far northwards as the golden-crested wren. The adult 

 male is " above, olive-green ; brighter on sides of neck ; 

 frontal band and sides of face, whitish, with a black line 

 through the eye ; centre of crown, orange-yellow, bordered 

 by a broad black line on either side; ear-coverts, slaty; 

 wings and tail, dark brown, with pale margins, crossed by 

 two white bars ; beneath, dull buffish-white." Irides, hazel ; 

 bill, legs, and feet, dark brown. Length, about three 

 inches. The female is duller. 



