76 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



large for the size of the bird usually eight or nine, of a 

 pale flesh-colour, but so thickly spotted with reddish- 

 brown as to comparatively alter the ground-colour. These 

 spots, as a rule, form a ring at the larger end. The young 

 are fed similarly to the parent birds, who are most earnest 

 and painstaking in their endeavours to supply their callow 

 brood with food. 



The young resemble the adult birds in general plu- 

 mage, but are not so bright, and no yellow appears upon 

 the head until after the first moult. 



The Golden-crested Wren may be kept in the aviary, 

 but with great difficulty, as the food necessitates constant 

 attention; whilst their size is such, that the slightest 

 mishap occasions death. One or two cases are, however, 

 known in which the bird has been bred and reared in 

 captivity. 



