THE SINGING BIRDS. 299 



the crest, which forms so conspicuous a feature in other species of this genus. Its most conspicuous 

 characters are the three yellow stripes which ornament the head ; the brighter and most highly- 

 coloured of these marks, contrary to what obtains in any other Reguli, being that over each eye, while 

 the coronal stripe is palest, and consists of feathers similar in length to those which cover the rest of 

 the head. With the exception of the stripes on the head, the whole of the upper surface is delicate 

 olive green, becoming abruptly paler on the rump ; the quills and tail are brown, edged with pale 

 yellow, which is more conspicuous on the secondaries ; two transverse bands of the same colour cross 

 the shoulders. The whole of the under surface is pale greenish white ; bill and tarsi brown." 



THE FIRE-CRESTED WREN. 



The Fire-crested Wren (Regulus ignicapillus, or Regulus pyocephalus) is readily distinguished 

 from the bird above described by a black stripe that passes across and a white stripe that passes over 

 the eyes. The crown of the head is fiery red, and bright-flame yellow at its sides, surrounded by a 

 black line, which is broader than that on the Golden-crested Wren. The two species are almost 

 alike in size. The Fire-crested Wren is met with in France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Spain, and 

 has been seen, although very rarely, in England. In most of the above-mentioned countries it only 

 appears during its wanderings, but is known to breed in Greece. Such of these birds as inhabit 

 Europe closely resemble the species above described in their movements and habits. 



According to Jerdon, *" the Himalayan Fire Crest is very like the Regulus ignicapillus of 

 Europe, but is larger, and has the flame-coloured crest more developed. The Himalayan Fire-crested 

 Wren has only been found in the North-western Himalayas, and even there, apparently, it is not very 

 common." 



THE SATRAP WREN. 



The Satrap-Crowned Wren (Regulus satrapa), a North American species nearly resembling 

 its European congeners, is brownish grey upon the back, and greyish white upon the under side ; the 

 breast is shaded with brownish yellow, the eyes are encircled by a greyish white ring, and the head 

 decorated on each side with a black band, edged with bright yellow, and with a broad fiery red stripe 

 across the crown ; the quills and feathers of the wing-covers are dusky, the former edged and the 

 latter tipped with greenish yellow ; the eye is brown, the beak black, and the feet brownish yellow. 

 The bird is four inches long and seven broad. 



Of the American Fire-crested Wren, or Fiery-crowned Knight, Nuttall writes as follows : — " The 

 Regulus tricolor (or Regulus satrapa) appears associated only in pairs, which are seen on their southern 

 route, in this part of Massachusetts, a few days in October, and about the middle of the month, or a 

 little earlier or later according to the setting in of the season, as they appear to fly before the 

 desolating storms of the northern regions, whither they retire about May to breed. Some of these 

 birds remain in Pennsylvania until December or January; proceeding, probably, but little further south 

 during the winter. They are not known to reside in any part of New England, but retire to the same 

 remote and desolate limits of the farther north with an allied species, of which they have most 

 of the habits. They are actively engaged during their transient visits to the south in gleaning up 

 insects and their lurking iarvae, for which they perambulate the branches of trees of various kinds, 

 frequenting gardens and orchards, and skipping and vaulting from the twigs, sometimes head down- 

 wards, like the Chicadee, with whom they often keep companv, making only now and then a feeble 

 chirp. They appear at this time to search chiefly after spiders and dormant concealed coleopterous 

 or other insects ; they are also said to feed on small berries and some kinds of seeds, which they 

 break open by pecking with the bill in the manner of the Titmouse. They likewise frequent the 

 sheltered cedar and pine woods, in which they probably take up their roost at night. Early in April 



