^oo 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



they are seen on their return to the north in Pennsylvania. At this time they dart among the blossoms 

 of the maple and elm, in company with others of their race, and appear more volatile and actively 

 engaged in seizing small flies on the wing, and collecting minute lurking caterpillars from the opening 

 leaves. On the 21st of May, 1835, I observed this species feeding its full-Hedged young in a tall 

 pine tree on the banks of the Columbia river." 



" If we compare the American Golden-crest Wren with the European, we find that they agree in 

 general appearance, in the proportional length of the quills and in the form of the tail, as well as in 

 that of the bill and legs. Their differences are the following : — 



" Regulus tricolor is longer by half an inch than Regulus cris/atus, its bill is stronger and one- 





THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN (Regulus flavicapilllls). 



twelfth of an inch shorter, its claws are also stronger and shorter, and the flame-coloured patch on the 

 head is more extended and brighter. The European species never has so much grey on the neck and 

 back, and its lower parts are always more tinged with brownish yellow. The other differences are not 

 very obvious ; but the difference in the size of the bill, were there no other characteristics, would be 

 enough, in a family of birds so closely resembling each other as the Reguli, to point out the American 

 as distinct from the European species. 



" On the 23rd of January," continues the same writer, " I saw great numbers of these birds in the" 

 woods near Charlestown, searching for food high in the trees as well as low down, and so careless of 

 us, that, although we would approach within a few feet of them, they were not in the least dis- 

 concerted. Their feeble chirp was constantly repeated. We killed a great number of them, in hopes 

 of finding among them some individuals of the species known under the name of Regulus ignicapillus, 

 but in this we did not succeed. At times they uttered a strong querulous note, somewhat resembling 

 that of the Black-headed Titmouse. The young had acquired their full plumage, but the females 



