156 LLOYD'S NATUHXL HISTORY. 



with the exception of the last year, when, strange to say, the 

 numbers were below the average. An unusual spring ' rush } 

 took place in 1882. On such occasions bushes in gardens on 

 the coast are covered with birds as with a swarm of bees ; 

 crowds flutter round the lanterns of lighthouses ; and the 

 rigging of fishing-smacks in the North Sea is thronged with 

 weary travellers. In April a return migration occurs." 



Range outside the British Islands. Generally distributed through- 

 out Europe, in most parts being resident, but in the north it is 

 a migratory species. It is found as far as the Arctic Circle in 

 Scandinavia, in North Russia to 63 N. lat., and eastwards up 

 to 60. It appears to vary slightly towards the Pacific, and in 

 the Japanese islands the Gold-Crest has a greyish nape. This 

 Japanese form is approached in character by the Himalayan 

 Gold-Cresr, and at the present time Regulus regulus is recog- 

 nised as the dominant form of the Palaearctic region, with cer- 

 tain variations in its eastward habitat, which are not considered 

 worthy of specific recognition. Thus Mr. Gates states that 

 the Himalayan Gold-Crest cannot be separated from the Euro- 

 pean bird, and Mr. Seebohm will not allow that the Japanese 

 race is specifically distinct. 



Habits. In speaking of the Tits, the Creepers, and the Nut- 

 hatches, we have referred to the sociable companionship which 

 induces these birds to unite together in family parties during 

 the winter. There is still one other companion of these 

 winter gatherings, the little Gold-Crest, the smallest of European 

 birds, and consequently the smallest of our British species. It 

 is, however, a very active and vigorous little bird, quite as 

 sprightly as the Tits with which it consorts, and remarkable 

 for its loud call-note, which is singularly piercing for such a 

 small creature to utter. Its song is decidedly superior to that 

 of the Tits, and is more Warbler-like, though somewhat weak. 

 The Gold-Crest may be found in almost any situation, in 

 pursuit of the tiny insects which constitute almost its sole 

 sustenance, and in winter it is found in the open woods, flying 

 in company with its friends the Tits and Creepers, and 

 foraging through the bushes and undergrowth as well as the 

 oaks above. At all times, however, it shows a preference for 

 yew-trees or firs, either for their nesting association or for 



