Golden -Crested Wren 



( Regulus cristatus ) K. L. KOCH. 



MALE, FEMALE, NEST, AND EGGS. 



HE nest of this, the smallest of British birds, is so completely hidden 



beneath the yew branch f Taxus baccataj as to be scarcely seen ; yet on 

 examination it is found to be carefully and securely suspended to the small 

 branchlets with thick ropes formed of moss and spiders' webs cleverly woven 

 together, the whole forming a wonderful piece of bird architecture. 



The upper specimen is the male, with its golden crest fully expanded. The 

 pale yellow crest of the female is also shown. Both birds have the power of 

 opening or closing the crest at will. 



The nest is in situ in the original branch, which has been carefully preserved 

 and coloured. 



The specimens were collected in Cheshire by the Curator. 



