454 BRITISH BIRDS. 



by having the space above the forehead separating the sides of the crest 

 olive-brown instead of bkck. There appears to be only one species of 

 Goldcrest^ which is subject to considerable local variations, apparently 

 only of subspecific value. In Japan a form having the nape greyish brown 

 occurs {R. cristatus, var. japonicus) . Examples from Asia Minor, Turkestan, 

 and the Himalayas are intermediate. On the Azores a form is found having 

 the olive-green nape of R. cristatus, but with a much larger bill, the cul- 

 men measuring '5 inch instead of '45 to '4. I propose to call this form 

 Regulus cristatus, var. azoricus. In comparing Goklcrests from different 

 localities it is important that examples of the same sex and season should 

 be selected for comparison. Females seem always to be slightly greyer 

 than males ; and newly-moulted birds of both sexes in autumn plumage 

 resemble each other much more closely than breeding birds. In some 

 localities the olive-green appears to undergo very little change throughout 

 the year, whilst in others it changes on the nape and upper back almost 

 into a slate-grey before the breeding-season is over. 



The haunts of the Goldcrest are almost exclusively well-wooded districts ; 

 for although often seen in the barest of situations, where small bushes 

 take the place of trees, it is at a time when the birds are migrating, and, 

 tired with their long flight, are glad to settle anywhere to rest ere passing 

 on again. It is found perliaps the most commonly in larch- and fir-planta- 

 tions and in dense shrubberies ; it also frequents gardens, orchards, and 

 birch-copses, and in autumn and winter may often be seen in company 

 with Tits exploring the tall hedges in the fields. The low shrill call- 

 note is generally the first intimation of the presence of the bird ; so low 

 and shrill does it sound that it is often difficult to discover the direction 

 from which it is proceeding, and after a close search some twig vibrating 

 attracts the attention, and eventually the little creature appears in sight. 

 It is not necessary to hide for fear of alarming it as it hangs on some 

 drooping branch ; for it is one of the most trustful of birds, and will often 

 search the twigs and branches within arm-'s length of the observer without 

 any show of fear. In its motions it very closely resembles a Tit or a 

 Willow- Warbler, exploring the slender twigs, hanging from the drooping 

 sprays, or going under the leaves in search of its food. One moment it 

 will appear in the centre of the bush ; the next it will be concealed from 

 view near the roots, or daintily poised on the topmost twig. Then it 

 passes on in unsteady flight to the next tree or bush, where the same 

 motions are repeated, and the same low and piercing notes are given forth 

 as it calls to its companions ; for it is a very sociable little creature, ex- 

 cept in the breeding-season, and often associates with Tits and Creepers. 

 Perhaps the best place to study the habits of the Goldcrest is in fir- 

 plantations. Perched, it may be, on the topmost twig of some wide- 

 spreading fir it will sit and warble forth its notes, perhaps as it hangs 



