240 NATURAL HISTORY. 



first arrival it feeds on the leaf-rolling caterpillars that infest 

 the leaves and early buds of trees, thereby doing great service 

 to the gardener, who especially detests all " blight," as he calls 

 these insidious little devourers. 



The nest of the Chiff-chaff, like that of the wren, is oval or 

 rounded, and entered by a hole at the side. It is placed near 

 the ground in a bush, or sometimes resting on the hedge-bank. 

 Its eggs are six in number, speckled with purplish red on a 

 white ground. The length of the bird is not quite five inches ; 

 the third and fourth primary feathers are the longest. 



REGTJLUS. (Lat.) 



Cristatus {Lat. crested), the Golden-crested Wren. 



The GOLDEN-CRESTED UEGULTJS, as it ought properly to be 

 called, is one of the smallest of British birds. Fir plantations 

 are its favourite resort, and there it may be seen hopping about 

 the branches, running round them, head downwards, in search 

 of the insects hidden beneath the bark. Its name is derived 

 from the orange-coloured tuft of feathers on the crown of its 

 head, for which reason it is often called the Kinglet. Its 

 note is weak, but very pleasing, and much resembles that of 

 the common wren. The female is very bold while sitting, 

 and will permit close observation without quitting the nest. 



