
Family XII. Troglodytide. (Wrens.) 
(Plate XVIIL.) 
The birds belonging to the genus Regulus are 
very small and active creatures, with a straight 
pointed beak, on which the nostrils are covered with 
a small comb-like feather. 
Fig. b. The Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus 
cristatus) and its near ally, the Fire-Crested Wren 
(Regulus ignicapillus) are among the smallest of 
European birds; measuring not much more than three 
inches in length. The Golden-Crested Wren may be 
seen darting about trees and hedges throughout the 
day in search of insects. 
Fig. c. The Wren (Zroglodytes vulgaris) is a 
little larger than the last-mentioned birds. Its colour 
is rusty brown, with dark transverse 
stripes. Its tail is rounded. It is a very 
lively and cheerful little bird, which utters “® 
its loud shrill song even during the winter. Egg of Wren, 
The Wren is common throughout Europe, and fre- 
quents bushy places near water. 
The genus Pratincola is distinguished by its 
long legs, short tail, and the peculiar shape of the 
beak, which is broad at the base, and somewhat 
truncated in front. 
Fig. f. The Whinchat (Pratincola rubetra) in- 
habits Southern und Western Europe, and is found 
in meadows among low herbage and clumps of trees. 
The genus Motaczl/a has a rather long, straight, 
slender beak, long legs, and a long tail, which it is 
always wagging. 
Fig. g. The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 
has a plain colouring of grey, white and black. It 
is common throughout Europe, and 
is a very lively bird, always running 
about, especially near water, where 
it builds a simple nest in holes in 


the ground, under bridges &c. A aS 
very similar bird, the Water Wag- Egg of White 
tail (MW. VYarrelliz) is common in Wagtail, 
England. 
Fig. h. The Yellow Wagtail (Motactlla flava) 
is a handsomer bird than the last species. The head 
is bluish green, the back olive-green, the whole 
under-surface of the body bright yellow, and the 
tail brownish black, except the two outermost 
feathers, which are white. The long claw on the 
hinder toe shows it to belong to the running 
birds, and in fact it generally lives on the ground, 
where it makes its nest among roots, the stems of 
reeds, &c. It is a migratory bird, and is found 
throughout Europe, even to the extreme north. 
' The genus Acrocephalus has a long flat fore- 
head, strong legs, and a stooping posture. The 
species live near the water among reeds and bushes, 
and climb about the stalks of the reeds with great 
celerity. 
Fig. e. The Great Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus 
arundinaceus) was formerly considered to be a 
Thrush, on account of its size (it measures eight 
inches in length). It is of a yellowish grey above, 
and greyish white beneath. It builds a large basket- 
like nest at a height of two feet above the water, 
which it attaches to three or more reed-stems, 
Family XII. Paride. (Titmice.) 
(Plate XIX left side). 
This family contains small, but active and in- 
telligent birds. They are chiefly insect-eaters, but 
their short strong beak is likewise adapted for break- 
11 



ing open hard-shelled seeds, which they hold steady 
between their toes for the purpose. Their legs are 
short and strong, and they climb easily with their 
strongly curved claws. Their plumage is soft and 
long, and in some species is prettily coloured. 
Fig. a. The Great Titmouse (Farus major) is 
one of the best-known, as it visits our gardens in 
winter. At other times it lives in the woods, and 
is also met with at a considerable elevation in the 
mountains. It destroys great numbers of insects. 
Biss tbape) hes Blue Witmouse 
(Farus c@ruleus) is olive-green above, 
and yellow beneath, with the wings 
and tail blue. It is a very lively bird. 
It inhabits all Europe, except the far 
North. Titmouse. 
Fig. c. The Cole Titmouse (fwrus ater) has 
a black head and neck, the cheeks and a longitudinal 
stripe on the back of the neck are white, the back 
is ashy grey, and the belly whitish. It is found 
through Europe, Asia and America in woods, and 
most often in pine woods, where it makes its nest 
on the ground in hollow stumps &c. 
Fig. d. The Crested Titmouse (Paras cristatus ) 
has a pointed tuft of black and white feathers on 
the head; the throat and a stripe over the eyes black, 
the back greyish brown, and the belly whitish. It 
feeds on insects, and frequents pine-forests, like the 
last species. 
Fig. e. The Marsh Titmouse (Farus palustris) 
is the most lively of all the Titmice, and surpasses 
the rest in climbing. It is found in woods in most 
parts of Europe. 
The Long-tailed Titmouse (Farus caudatus) is 
white on the top of the head, and onthe under-surface 
of the body, and the whole of the upper-surface is black, 
with the shoulders reddish brown, the hinder wing- 
feathers are broadly bordered with white on the 
outer side, and the two outer tail-feathers are white 
on the outer side and at the end. It lives in pine- 
forests and builds a purse-shaped nest among the 
stalks of the reeds. 

Egg of Blue 
Family XIV. Fringillide. 
(Plate XIV.) 
The Finches are small prettily-coloured birds, 
with a short strong conical beak, which in some 
species is curiously hooked and crossed at the tip, 
with which the birds crack the grains and seeds on 
which they feed. 
The genus Loxia is easily known by the 
large head and strong beak, the tips of which are 
curved and crossed. They are hardy birds, which 
live in pine forests, and feed on pine and fir-cones, 
and begin to breed very early in the year. 
Fig. a. The Crossbill (Loria curvirostris) is 
six or seven inches in length. The full-grown male 
is of a nearly uniform carmine-red, and the female 
and young birds greyish or yellowish green. It in- 
habits Northern and Central Europe. 
The genus Pyrrhula has a short thick beak, 
rounded on the sides, and short legs, which unlike 
those of the Crossbill, are not adapted for climbing. 
They feed on buds and seeds. 
Fig. b. The Pine Grosbeak (Pyrrhula enu- 
cleator) is a handsome bird, coloured something like 
the Crossbill. The old birds are for the most part 
carmine-red, with two white stripes on the wings, 
and the females and young are ochre-yellow and 
grey. The beak is strongly hooked, but not crossed. 
(Finches.) 
