THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 99 



with black, which forms an arch above its 

 eyes. The crest of the female is less, and of 

 a paler yellow. 



Montague says, that '' the nest is not 

 made with an opening on one side, as 

 described by some, but is in form and 

 elegance like that of the chaffinch, composed 

 of green moss, woven with wool, and mvari- 

 a^/j/ lined with feathers, with which it is 

 so well bedded as to conceal the eggs." 

 This account is corroborated in a late 

 Treatise on Singing Birds, in which the 

 above passage is also quoted ; Bewick, 

 however, gives a different account : the 

 female lays from seven to twelve eggs, 

 of a dull reddish white, sprinkled with 

 brown. 



The golden-crested wren delights prin- 

 cipally in the largest trees, where it feeds 

 on the small insects which harbour in the 

 bark, and in search of which it runs about 

 the branches very much after the manner 

 of the til; mouse. 



