306 THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 
creeper as it rutis up and down the branches, searching into the crevices of 
the bark for the little insects on which it feeds. ‘Lhe first specimen tbat I 
ever saw was traversing the branches of a fine “ Blenheum Orange” apple- 
tree in an adjoining garden, and by my inexperienced eyes was at first taken 
for a very young creeper. Like the creeper, it can even run up a perpen- 
dicular wall, peering into every 
little crevice, and stocking up the 
moss and lichens for the purpose 
of obtaining the insects and their 
eggs that are lying concealed. It 
will also eat the chrysalides that 
are found so abundantly upon the 
walls. 
AJl the movements of the Golden- 
crested Wren are full of spring 
and fiery activity, and the manner 
in which it will launch itself from 
., one tree to another, and then, with- 
) out a pause, commence traversing 
the branches, is a sight well worth 
seeing. Perhaps it is seen to best 
advantage among the  fir-trees, 
f where it finds great scope for its 
GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.—( Regulus active habits. Up one branch it 
cristatus.) scuds, down another, then whisks 
itself through the air to a fresh tree, 
and then flings itself back again to its former perch. Along the twigs it runs 
with astonishing rapidity, sometimes clinging with its head downward, 
sometimes running round and round them spirally, always twisting its pert 
little head in every direction, and probing each hole and crevice with its 
sharp, slender little bill. The rough- 
est-barked trees are its favourite 
resort, because in such localities it 
finds its best supply of insect food. 
The nest of this beautiful little bird 
is exquisitely woven of various soft 
substances, and is generally suspended 
to a trunk where it is well sheltered 
from the weather. I have often found 
their nests, and in every instance 
have noticed that they are shaded 
by leaves, the projecting portion of a 
banch, or some such protection. In 
onecase the nest, which was suspended 
to a fir-branch, was almost invisible 
; beneath a heavy bunch of large cones 
BLACKCAP WARBLER.—(Sylvia atricapilia.) that drooped over it, and forced the 
bird to gain admission by creeping 
along the branch to which the nest was suspended. The edifice is usually 
supported by three branches, one above and one at either side. The nest 
is usually lined with feathers, and contains a considerable number of eggs, 
generally from six to ten. These eggs are hardly bigger than peas, and, 
as may be supposed, their shells are so delicately thin, that to extract the 
iaterior without damaging them is a very difficult matter. 
The entire length of this bird is about three inches and a half, and its 
