THE GOLDEN-CEESTED WEEN. 



275 



has not since appeared in tliat locality. The colour of this little bird is mottled brown 

 above, and very light fawn below, deepening into chestnut on the flanks. The throat of 

 the male is tinged with blue, and his tail-feathers are larger than those of his mate. 



The nest of the Emeu Wren is very large in comparison with the size of its inhabitant, 

 and is placed on the ground, where it looks like a large ball of grass with a hole in the 

 side. The interior is snugly lined with soft feathers, and there are generally three eggs. 



GOLDEN-CRESTED- WRE^s. —Regulus cristdtus. 



FIRE-CRESTED WRE^X .—Reguhis ignicapillua. 



The tiny Golden-ceested Ween, as it is popularly called, is very commoif throughout 

 England, and may be seen hopping and flitting merrily among the branches in copses, 

 orchards, and plantations. Although from its diminutive size it has gained the title of 

 Wren, it has no claim to that designation, and is more rightly termed the Kinglet or 

 Eegulus. 



This " shadow of a bird," as it is happily called by White, in his " Natural History oi 

 Selborne," is a remarkably hardy little creature, braving the severest frosts of winter, and 

 mostly disdaining to avail itself of the shelter of human habitations. On account of its 

 minute proportions and its retmng habits, it is a very unobtrusive bird, and is often 

 thought to be extremely rare in localities where it may be found plentifully by those who 

 know where to look for it. In Derbyshire, for instance, it was held to be extremely scarce, 

 but I could always procure specimens at will by a judicious disposition of a little birdlime, 

 and I have frequently discovered the admirably hidden and beautifully constructed nests 

 of these interesting birds. 



The Golden-crested Wren is notable for the crest of golden-coloured feathers which 

 is placed upon the crown of its head, which it can raise or depress at pleasure, and which 

 gives so pert and changeful an expression to the little creature. But for this golden crest 

 which is not at all conspicuous when the feathers are lowered, the bird might easily be 

 mistaken for a tree-creeper as it runs up and down the branches, searching into the 

 crevices of the bark for the little insects on which it feeds. The first specimen that I ever 

 saw was traversing the branches of a fine " Blenheim Orange" apple-tree in an adjoining 

 garden, and by my inexperienced eyes was at first taken for a very young creeper. Like 

 the creeper it can even run up a perpendicular wall, peering into every little crevice, and 

 stocking up the moss and lichens for the purpose of obtaining the insects and their eggs 

 that are lying concealed. It will also eat the chrysalides that are found so abundantly 

 upon the walls. 



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