Species IV. SYLVIA REGULUS. 
GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 
[Plate VIII. Fig. 2.] 
Motacilla regulus, Linn. Si/st. i., 338, 48. — Lath. Syn. iv., 50S, 145. — Edw. 254. 
This diminutive species is a frequent associate of the one last 
described, and seems to be almost a citizen of the world at large, hav- 
ing been found not only in North and South America, the West Indies 
and Europe, but even in Africa and India. The specimen from Europe, 
in Mr. Peale's collection, appears to be nothing specifically different 
from the American ; and the very accurate description given of this 
bird by the Count de Buffon, agrees in" every respect with ours. Here, 
as in Europe, it is a bird of passage, making its first appearance in 
Pennsylvania early in April, among the blossoms of the maple, often 
accompanied by the Ruby-crowned Wren, which, except in the mark- 
ings of the head, it very much resembles. It is very frequent among 
evergreens, such as the pine, spruce, cedar, juniper, &c, and in the fall 
is generally found in company with the two species of Titmouse, Brown 
Creeper, and small Spotted Woodpecker. It is an active, unsuspicious, 
and diligent little creature, climbing and hanging, occasionally, among 
the branches, and sometimes even on the body of the tree, in search of 
the larvae of insects, attached to the leaves and stems., and various kinds 
of small flies, which it frequently seizes on wing. As it retires still 
farther north to breed, it is seldom seen in Pennsylvania from May to 
October ; but is then numerous in orchards, feeding among the leaves 
of the apple trees, which, at that season, are infested with vast numbers 
of small black winged insects. Its chirp is feeble, not much louder than 
that of a mouse ; though where it breeds the male is said to have a 
variety of sprightly notes. It builds its nest frequently on the branches 
of an evergreen, covers it entirely round, leaving a small hole on one 
side for entrance, forming it outwardly of moss and lichens, and lining 
it warmly with down. The female lays six or eight eggs, pure white, 
with a few minute specks of dull red. Dr. Latham, on whose authority 
this is given, observes, " It seems to frequent the oak trees in preference 
to all others. I have more than once seen a brood of these in a larce 
oak in the middle of a lawn, the whole little family of which, as soon as 
able, were in perpetual motion, and gave great pleasure to many who 
viewed them. The nest of one of these has also been made in a garden 
(169) 
