The Gold-Crested Wren. 311 



Points to be Obseeved in Judging.— Select a lively, well- 

 formed bird, bright in plumage, and more especially so on the 

 crown of the head — the golden coronet. The streak over the 

 eyes should be clear and well-defined, and the throat, breast, and 

 vent, of a silvery grey, shaded with a sort of evanescent green. 

 The wing coverts must be clearly and distinctly margined with 

 white, the body feathering close and compact, and the wings, 

 tail, legs, and feet, in good order. The bird should be absolutely 

 free from dirt, in good health and condition, and steady on the 

 perch. 



Geneeal Remaeks. — Gold-Crested Wrens may be kept either 

 in cages or in aviaries, though the latter are to be preferred. 

 When hand reared, these birds are very tame and tractable, and, 

 under favourable circumstances, will breed in confinement ; an 

 out-of-door aviary is best for this purpose. Eoses, and currant or 

 raspberry bushes, should be grown round a border made inside 

 the exercise ground attached to it, as they are generally much 

 infested with insects, which afford a rare treat to the birds. 

 When breeding, the birds should have an almost unlimited 

 supply of insect food, as they feed their young on this alone. 

 Ants and their eggs should be placed in the border inside 

 the aviary. A plentiful supply of very fine gravel and loam 

 will be found of great value in keeping the birds in health 

 and condition. 



Diseases and theie Teeatment. — Gold-Crested Wrens, 

 although of such minute proportions, are, nevertheless, hardy 

 birds, and, when properly cared for and attended to, are seldom 

 attacked by disease. They require, however, some extra 

 attention during the period of the moult, this being the most 

 critical period of their existence. For treatment in case of 

 illness, see Chapter V., on "Diseases." 



