RARER BRITISH BIRDS. 13 



FIRE-CRESTED WREN. 



Regulus Ignicapillus. BRISSON. 



IN the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society, for August 14, 

 1832," is the first notice of this bird as a British species, by 

 the Rev. L. Jennyns, who exhibited an immature specimen, and 

 gave the following account : " In its adult state, this Wren is 

 readily distinguishable from the more common gold-crested one, 

 by the existence, on each side of the face, of three streaks, 

 the upper and lower of which are white, and the interme- 

 diate one black ; as well as by the crest on its head being 

 of a more deep and brilliant orange. In the immature state, 

 it may be distinguished by its somewhat smaller size; by its 

 bill, which is much longer, and also broader at the base ; 

 by the first quill feathers being somewhat longer ; and by the 

 greater size, both in length and breadth, of the tail." 



The individual exhibited was killed by a cat, at Swaffham, 

 in Cambridgeshire. It is probable, however, although this is 

 the only specimen at present recorded, that the bird before 



