GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS. 51 
GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS (or WREN). 
Reevuuus, cristatus, Koch. 
Pl. X., figs. 14, 15. 
Geogr. distr.—Throughout Europe, N.W. Africa, and Asia as far 
east as Japan. Found in all suitable localities in Great Britain; a 
resident species. 
Food.—Insects. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped, very thick and solid, formed of green moss and 
lichens compacted together with spiders’ web; warmly lined with 
feathers, especially the red breast-feathers of the Linnet. 
Position of nest.—Almost invariably among the pendant twigs 
immediately under the branch of a fir or yew tree; but, according to 
Hewitson, sometimes upon a branch, or against the trunk. 
Number of eggs.—7-11. 
Time of nidification.—III-IV. 
The Goldcrest has been known to rear two broods in 
the same nest; its habits are not unlike those of a Tit; 
its food consists merely of the small insects which hide 
themselves between the leaves or under the bark of firs and 
and larches ; its song is soft, low, and pleasing ; the nest is 
not unlike some nests of the Chaffinch; it is, however, a 
little deeper, the interior of the cup is decidedly less 
compact and neat, and its unusually pendent position 
gives it a very different aspect. 
Although partially resident in Great Britain, vast 
numbers visit our coasts in autumn, and such of them 
as survive leave us again in the spring. 
When sitting the hen bird is so fearless that she permits 
close observations to be taken without leaving the nest. The 
account of a nest containing young, which Montagu took 
into his house and watched day by day, the hen feeding the 
young even whilst he held the nest in his hand, has been often 
repeated, and proves that the maternal instinct is fully as 
strong in the Goldcrest as in the Blue Lit. 
