244 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
The Golden-crested Wren {Motacilla Regulus) is 
the smallest and most beautiful of the wren species, 
having a line of golden-coloured feathers on the 
head, which it can erect or depress at pleasure. Tliis 
gives it a smart and gay appearance. Its habits are 
similar to the preceding ; the hen lays eight eggs.. 
This species is not so often seen as the former. They 
have a soft, but cheerful, note ; and, as Mr. Blyth 
observes, " callous and saturnine must he be who is 
not enlivened by it.'' 
There are other varieties of the wren ; but there 
being such a family likeness among them, it is unne- 
cessary to particularize each. We should consider 
them of essential service in a garden, keeping the 
trees and plants clear from insects, without purloining 
any of the fruit in return for their services. 
Beclistein observes, that the golden-crested wren, 
reared from the rest, will perch on a tree in a room, 
which they enjoy so much that they are never far 
from it. If there be many birds, they will perch in 
a row, press close together, and sleep in this manner. 
He adds, that they are very impatient of cold in 
confinement ; and says, " I once caught half a dozen 
golden wrens, at the beginning^ of winter, and they 
