SYLVIAM. 65 



THE COMMON GOLD-CREST. Regulus auricapillus. 

 This smallest of European birds may often be seen during 

 the winter season threading the leafless hedges in search of 

 food. It is very extensively distributed, not only in Britain, 

 but in many foreign lands. It breeds early, and forms a 

 beautiful nest of green mosses, softly lined within. The nest 

 is oftenest suspended beneath the sheltering branch of a 

 yew, or spruce-fir; although we have known it, on more than 

 one occasion, built upon branches of trees among ivy, and, 

 in such circumstances, resembling a minute specimen of the 

 Chaffinch's nest. The eggs, from seven to twelve in num- 

 ber, are generally of a pale reddish-brown colour before 

 they are blown, but afterwards of a pale greyish-brown ; 

 but we received a nest during the last summer in which the 

 eggs were pure white, with minute reddish-brown specks, 

 disposed chiefly in a zone around the larger end. The song 

 of this little creature, heard in summer among the branches, 

 is most delicately melodious. (PL VIII. fig. 47, 48.) 



THE FIRE-CREST. Regulus ignicapillus. This species 

 is much rarer than the preceding; but perhaps its great 

 resemblance to the last may have caused it to be passed un- 

 noticed as a distinct species on many occasions. In its 

 nidification it is considered closely to resemble the Gold- 



