THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN. 



Sylvia regulus, Lath. 



This is the least of all British birds, its weight 

 seldom exceeding eighty grains. Its length is 

 about three inches and a half. It may readily be 

 distinguished from all other birds, not only by its 

 size, but by the beautiful golden-coloured crest 

 on the head. The crest is composed of a double 

 series of feathers arising from each side, and almost 

 meeting at their points ; the exterior are black, the 

 interior bright yellow ; between which, on the 

 crown, the feathers are shorter, and of a fine deep 

 orange. The female has the head rather less crest- 

 ed, and the crown is bright yellow where in the 

 male it is orange. Though so small a bird, it 

 endures the severe winters of our climate. It is 

 seen in autumn as far north as the Shetland Isles, 

 but quits that country before the cold season. 



Bechstein informs us that these beautiful birds 

 are spread over the whole of Europe and Asia ; 

 their favourite haunts being the extensive pine and 

 fir forests of the north of Europe, from whence they 

 migrate towards the south on the approach of 

 winter. In the month of October, they are observ- 

 ed in Germany, passing towards the south, and 

 returning again in the month of March towards the 

 north. In that country, however, flocks of them 



