2 
C 07.DEN-CRESTET) WEEN. 
their movements, stated that they would roost all night in any shelter they could find, some even 
creeping into the blocks, where he remarked they would remain “weeping* all night,” and in the morning 
fly down and pick about on the corks and other portions of the nets that were out of water. A cold 
wind and the spray of the breaking seas would often prove fatal to those already exhausted, and numbers 
Avere at times discovered either utterly helpless or dead. As it appeared that these birds were known to the 
men by the name of “ Herring- Spink,” I was particular in inquiring whether they referred to the Chafiinch 
(a frequent visitor to the boats during October), and Avas at once satisfied they AA^ere Avell acquainted with that 
bird. During the seasons I was in communication Avith the light-ships off the cast coast, I could gather but 
little information concerning the Golden-crested Wren from any of the crcAvs of those vessels. I, however, 
received a wing from the “Lynn Well” early in the spring of 1873, Avhich would tend to proAm that 
a few at least return toAvards the north of Europe after passing the Avinter on our shores. 
Though there is a general movement soutliAvard as Avinter approaches, I never either met with or received 
infoi'mation concerning one of the immense flights of Goldcrests except in the vicinity of the coast and 
during autumn. As early as the beginning of October I have remarked considerable additions to the 
residents in Sussex, small parties being noticed in all parts of the county flitting along the hedgeroAV's 
in the open, as avcII as roaming through plantations Avith dense and rank undergrowth. At this season 
they frequently make their appearance in gardens, climbing oA'cr the shrubs and plants and closely 
investigating all likely spots Avhere insects are concealed. Occasionally for a short time they join in 
company Avith Blue or Coal Tits and other small birds. In order to capture minute insects, such as 
gnats and flies, situated on the under surface of the foliage, I liaA'e repeatedly obserAmd these birds 
hovering beloAV the spot and snapping up their prey Avhile on wing. The singular actions of a brightly 
tinted male, one of a small flock of ten or a dozen, particularly attracted my attention as the party were 
working their way through a garden near Brighton in the autumn of 1882. After carefully searching 
the bark of sev'eral trees, the bird reached a somewhat faded and dilapidated willow, and immediately 
darting at the leaves, he seized them one after another in his bill, tugging apparently in the most desperate 
manner, each leaf evidently passing completely betAvecn his mandibles. I noticed this performance repeated 
at least twenty times within three or four yards of where I was standing. Eor some weeks previous to 
this date (October 19th) the stems of the Avillows had been infested by SAA'arins of black aphides, Avhich 
had produced a dark and glutinous secretion on the foliage immediately beloAv where thev AA^ere 
located. Possibly the flavour of this nastiness Avas grateful to the palate of the tiny Kinglet; I can 
imagine no other cause for his eccentric behaAuour. ScA’cral of these Wi’ens while climbing up the stems 
of the willows halted for a moment, and after intently regarding the heavung mass of aphides, immediately 
passed on without further delay. I never detected any of the feathered tribe feeding on the black aphis, 
though the green is eagerly sought after by scAnral of our Warblers. 
In December 1881 I observed a Avandering party of five or six Goldcrests, together Avith as many 
Blue Tits, flitting from stem to stem through the reeds on Ileigham Sounds in Norfolk. As soon as a 
few stunted alders along the bank Avere reached, the Wrens made their way toAA'ards a neighbouring 
plantation, while their former companions continued hunting for insects among the reeds and rushes. 
This is the only occasion on which I have noticed the species frequenting the reed-beds over the AAnter, 
though they commonly resort to the neighbouring Avoods and plantations. 
I never detected any large gathering of the Golden-crested Wren in the early spring, at Avhich date 
they would be supposed to start on their return journey toAvards the north. Though I spent tAAm or three 
seasons almost daily along the shores of the Eirth of Forth (Avhere the Amst SAvarm AAms met with in 
* Ihis does not imply that the birds uttered any sounds of lamentation ; it is simjdy the local manner of describing a low and plaintive note. 
