THE GOLDEN-CKESTED WEEN. 



Sylvia, regulus. 

 Motacilla 

 Cristatus 



HIS is the smallest of Euro- 

 pean birds. It is but 3J 

 inches in length, but is excep- 

 tionally pretty. Whilst the 

 birds are in flight or in pur- 

 suit of food it is difficult to 

 determine the sexes, as at such 

 times the distinguishing crest 

 is partially closed over by the 

 black feathers on either side; 

 but if influenced by pleasure or 

 other excitement, the crest is ex- 

 panded, covering the whole of 

 the head, and upon inspection, 

 it will be found that the male 

 has a broad orange (the female, 

 lemon) streak from the forehead 

 over the crown of the head. The 

 whole of the upper part of the body 

 is olive-green, but lighter towards 

 the tail-coverts ; the under part 

 is greyish-white, shaded especially on 

 the cheeks, throat, breast, and flanks 



