228 INSESSORES. REGULUS. 



Genus REGULUS, Cuv. REGULUS. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill straight, slender, higher than broad, compressed 

 throughout its whole length, the tomia, or cutting edges, 

 bending inwards. Nostrils basal, ovoid, covered with a small 

 bristly feather directed forwards. Wings having the first 

 quill short ; the second considerably shorter than the third, 

 which last is the longest. The tarsi of the legs long. Feet 

 with three toes before, and one behind, long and slender ; 

 the outer toe joined at its base to the middle one. Claws 

 curved, and sharp. 



The Gold-crests, which exhibit the peculiar characters of 

 the Sylviadas in the highest perfection, are among the most 

 diminutive of the feathered race. They are of very active 

 habits, and in ever-varying motion, and in these respects 

 bear a near resemblance to the Titmice of the subfamily 

 Pariana; the passage to which is beautifully effected by 

 the close affinity subsisting between the genus Culicivora 

 (Swains.), of the subfamily Sylviana, and Setophaga 

 (Swains.), an introductory form of the prior subfamily. 

 Europe possesses two species of the present genus, but only 

 one has been hitherto found in Britain. A third and fourth 

 belong to America ; and a fifth to the northern parts of 

 Asia. 



