THE FIRECREST. 

 Regulus ignicapillus (C. L. Brehm). 

 Plate 9. 



The Firecrest or Fire-crested Wren was first recorded as a British bird in 1832, 

 an example having been killed by a cat in a garden near Cambridge. Although 

 some doubt has since been expressed as to the genuineness of this occurrence, many 

 Firecrests have since been recorded, mostly during the months from late autumn till 

 spring ; chiefly in the south and west of England and the east coast. 



In Europe the Firecrest does not range so far north as the Goldcrest, but is 

 found in the central and southern parts, and also in Asia Minor and Algeria. 



The nest is composed of similar materials to those of the Goldcrest, and the 

 eggs, varying from seven to ten in number, are redder in colour. 



The Firecrest differs from the Goldcrest by having the black bands alongside 

 the crest continued across the forehead, by a distinct dark streak passing through 

 and beyond the eye, the ear coverts being slaty-grey, bordered by a dark line below. 

 The crest is also of a deeper orange, and the general colour of a brighter olive- 

 green. 



The female is duller in colour than the male, and the young at first are without 

 the crest, but show the black bands on the head. 



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