GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 
REGVLUS ClilSTJrUS. 
The GoMen-crcsted Wren is distributed over the British Isiands from north to south, oceurrmg perhaps 
most abundantly in the neighbourhood of extensive tir-plantations. Though this familiar and lively i e 
bird remains with us as a resident throughout the year, I have noticed in several counties that fresh 
arrivals take place in autumn ; and such being the case, it is reasonable to suppose a corresponding 
number leave in spring. , ^ i i 
In the Highlands this speeies may he deserihed as decidedly local, the large tracts of barren moorla 
heino- rarely Osited, though I have on more than one occasion remarked a small party in^ some straggling 
helt°of firs on the mountain-side. I never detected these birds at any considerable elevation on the hills, 
even though the tops were well wooded. _ i , xr 
There is not the slightest douht that immense flights at times reach this country from across the NoHh 
Sea during the autumn. Early one morning, about the middle of October 1863, I discovered a plantation 
of Scotch flrs near North Berwick, on the coast of East Lothian, literally swarming with these birds. n 
numberless trees, especially in the more sheltered parts of the wood, they were clustered thickly on t e 
lower branches, eagerly searching for food. As they took not the slightest notice of the presence of several 
observers, it is probable these tiny travellers had but recently made the land, famished and worn out 
by the length of tlieir journey. When once their strength is regained, the birds forming these gatherings 
soon disperse and move onward to some fresh locality. On reaching the spot the following morning, 
provided with a supply of dust-shot and powerful field-glasses, in order to learn if any Eirecrests were 
in their ranks, I was unable to detect a single specimen of either speeies. Considering it most probable 
the birds might be met with in some of the neighbouring fir-woods, I turned westward and thoroughly 
searched several plantations without success. As a large flight was reported on the coast of Northumberland 
immediately after this date, it was evident the army of Goldcrests had proceeded m an easterly 
direction, and followed the coast-line towards the south. 
Judo-ino- from my own observations, and also by the information received from flshermen and 
others engaged in the North Sea, I conclude there is little douht that when few are noticed on 
our coasts contrary winds and prolonged storms have claimed their victims and the birds have 
perished at sea. With the exception of some five or six individuals, I have never personally met wi 
this species while crossing the North Sea during the autumnal migration; though on one occasion the 
remains of a dozen at least were detected, together with a few unfortunate Tree-Sparrows and Chaffinches, 
drowned and draggled in the water in the bottom of a smack’s boat, in which they had probably 
taken refuc^e on the previous night to escape the force of the drifting squalls. Several fishermen 
well acquaLted with the bird have assured me that, about the height of the herring-voyage, scores 
have occasionally settled on the luggers to rest. One man in particular, who had repeatedly watched 
