GOLD CRESTED WREN. 203 



The young birds do not possess the crest and yellow feathers till 

 autumn. 



The nest is not made with an opening" on one side, as described by 

 some, but is in form and elegance like that of the chaffinch, composed 

 of green moss, interwoven with wool, and invariably lined with small 

 feathers, with which it is so well bedded as to conceal the eggs. It is 

 sometimes placed against the body of a tree covered with ivy, but most 

 times underneath a thick branch of fir. 



* Albin, on the authority of Derham, and most of the common 

 authors, describe this nest as having a side entrance. The truth seems 

 to be that this bird, like many other species, appears to know how to 

 accommodate its nest to the locality chosen. When it selects a spot 

 where there is a natural canopy, it does not take the trouble to build 

 one ; but when this is wanting-, it forms as neat a dome, with a small 

 side entrance, as any of the other British Wrens. It is the only native 

 bird, I believe, which ever suspends its nest like so many of the 

 tropical birds, for though it is said not unfrequently to build against 

 the trunk of a tree covered with ivy, I have always found it hanging 

 under the broad bough of a spruce fir, or cedar, or a yew-tree, the thick, 

 flat disposition of the leaves forming a sort of umbrella over the 

 opening-. The materials of the nest are the same as those of the gold- 

 finch and chaffinch, namely, green moss, (hypnum tenellum, &c.,) or 

 lichens, felted together very neatly with wool, and lined with the 

 down of willows and other plants, or very soft, feathers.* 1 The eggs 

 are from seven to ten in number, of a brownish white ; rather darker 

 at the larger end; their weight nine or ten grains. 



A pair of these birds, who took possession of a fir-tree in my gar- 

 den, ceased their notes as soon as the young were hatched ; and as this 

 beautiful little family caused me much delight and amusement, some 

 observations thereon may not be unacceptable to the curious reader. 

 When first I discovered the nest, I thought it a favourable opportunity 

 to become acquainted with some of the manners of this minute species, 

 and to endeavour to discover whether the male ever sung, by way of 

 instructing the young ones. Accordingly, I took the nest when the 

 young were about six days old, placed it in a small basket, and by 

 degrees enticed the old ones to my study window ; and after they be- 

 came familiar with that situation, the basket was placed within the 

 window ; then at the opposite side of the room. It is remarkable, that 

 although the female seemed regardless of danger, from her affection 

 to her young, the male never once ventured within the room ; and 



1 Architecture of Birds, p. 318. 



