424 THE GOLD-CRESTED WEEN. 



Breeding. Their round ball-shaped nest is woven at the 

 farthest extremity of a branch, and from the moss, caterpillars' 

 cocoons, and tufts of thistle-down, of which it is composed, is 

 very soft to the touch. It contains nine or more pale flesh- 

 coloured eggs, the size of a pea. It is generally found in low 

 meadows or enclosures, or the first pine tree towards the east. 

 The young birds are easily reared on meal worms cut small, 

 flies, ants' eggs, and wheaten bread soaked in milk. They 

 must, however, be quite fledged, before they are taken from 

 the nest. Those are reared with the least trouble which have 

 been caught immediately after leaving the nest. 



Mode of Talcing. To secure them, it is only necessary to 

 take a pole, attach a limed twig to it, and strike the bird with 

 it, when perched on a tree. This is easy, as they are by no 

 means shy. 



They can also be shot with water, although this is a dan- 

 gerous undertaking, and requires much care. A fowling-piece 

 is loaded with powder, and a wadding of grease rammed upon 

 it. The water is carried in a bottle till the bird is seen ; then 

 about two table spoonsful of water are poured into the gun, 

 and a second wadding inserted, though with great care, lest 

 the water overflow. If hit at the distance of twenty paces, 

 the bird is thoroughly wetted, and may be taken with the 

 hand ; but if there are hedges near, or a somewhat larger bird, 

 e. g. a Chaffinch, be fired at, it often escapes. They are fre- 

 quently caught in traps set for small birds, if the way to 

 attract them be known. 



They come in great numbers to the water- trap, and by their 

 repeated cry of Tzitt, Tzitt I indicate the approach of sunset, 

 and the arrival of larger birds. They generally become so 

 tame in a few days, as to eat out of the hand. It is, never- 

 theless, very difficult to rear these tender birds ; but once used 

 to the house, they live long, provided only that they are 

 neither bitten by other birds, nor hurt themselves, and that 

 they do not swallow indigestible food. 



Attractive Qualities. These are very delightful birds for 

 a room, on account of their small size and beauty. Their song 

 is indeed weak, but very melodious, and resembles that of the 

 Canary. Country people often confine these little creatures 

 in a room, in order to be freed by their means from trouble- 

 some flies, after which they release them. 



