BIRDS' XE> 247 



ber, are reddish brown, spotted and mottled 

 with a deeper tint of the same colour. 



GOLDEN-CRESTED WllEX. Regill' ' ' .!S. 



PLATE XXI. TIG. 1. 



As this exquisite little bird, by its minute 

 size and rich colouring, suggests the idea of 

 the humming birds of the tropics, so its nest, 

 as elegant and symmetrical as itsolf. is no 

 less worthy of being preserved under a glass 

 dome than the tiny specimens of bird archi- 

 tecture which are among the choicest orna- 

 ments of our museums. (See page 39.) In 

 form it resembles a deep cup contracted at 

 the mouth, and is constructed of fine moss 

 skilfully interwoven, and thickly lined with 

 feathers. Its usual position is near the ex- 

 tremity of one of the lower branches of a 

 spruce or silver fir, with the needle-like leaves 

 of which the moss is curiously interwoven, 

 the architect skilfully contriving that it shall 



