RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 109 



The introduction of this beautiful and very distinct 

 species of one of tlie smallest birds of tlie new world 

 into the European and British fauna, may perhaps 

 excite a smile of incredulity in some of my readers. 

 But the facts connected with its capture in the Scotch 

 Highlands are conclusive, and cannot admit of doubt. 



During my residence in Edinburgh, in 1859, I received 

 a letter from Mr. Robert Gray, of Glasgow, informing 

 me that the "Ruby-crested Wren" had been shot on 

 the banks of Loch Lomond, by Dr. Dewar. The 

 original specimen had been presented to Mr. Gould, 

 but Mr. Gray kindly sent me an accurate and beautiful 

 drawing of the bird, made by Mr. Sinclair, which I 

 have much pleasure in introducing into my work. A 

 notice of its capture I had the pleasure of giving at one 

 of the meetings of the Physical Society. 



Having quite satisfied myself by repeated correspon- 

 dence, that there could have been no mistake about 

 the matter, I shall content myself by introducing here 

 part of Dr. Dewar's letter. There may, I think, be 

 some truth in Dr. Dewar's suggestion, that these small 

 birds get a lift en route in the numerous vessels which 

 are constantly passing between the two countries. But 

 after all there is nothing very extraordinary in such a 

 migration. The little creature is in America a migratory 

 hird, and flies, according to Audubon, from Louisiana 

 and other southern states to Newfoundland and Labrador, 

 where it breeds. It leaves the south in March, and 

 has young in the far north in June. Our friend had 

 evidently mistaken its way back again to the south, and 

 come to the Scotch Highlands instead. 



The following is an abstract from Dr. Dewar's letter, 

 dated Glasgow, December 6th., 1859: — "The specimen 

 of Reguhis calendula, regarding which you write, I 



