THE C30LDEN-CRESTED KECJULUS. 
77 
THE GOLDEN-CHESTED EEGULUS. 
Reguhis cr {status. 
Visiting the Shetland Isles in autumn and spring, and in- 
stantly adapting itself to its new mode of life, the beautiful and 
hardy little Goldcrest, in no haste to depart, seems determined 
to take up its abode there, often remaining so long that the 
inhabitants are convinced that it is resident throughout the 
year. Thomas Edmondston, relying uj:)on such information, 
was inclined to the same opinion, which, however, with his 
usual candour, he renounced very shortly after its publication, 
though many ornithological works still perpetuate the error. 
Residents in Shetland many years ago, when books and en- 
gravings were as a rule both scarce and bad, 'became sadly 
mystified by the terms Regulus, Kinglet, Golden-crested Wren, 
and the Wren, which is still so well known by tradition as the 
king of all birds.” The terms Regulus and Wren then became 
synonymous, and continue so until this day. 
Although decidedly scarce some thirty or forty years ago, 
this bird is now almost abundant at certain times, a fact which 
can scarcely be accounted for by the increase of cultivation, for 
though partial to trees and shrubs, it is to be met with in 
almost every imaginable situation, even ujDon stony hills miles 
away from any substantial shelter. Here, however, some light 
is thrown upon the matter by Mr Gray, who remarks upon the 
enormous increase of the species throughout Scotland generaUy 
since the larch began to be so extensively planted. The Gold- 
crests almost invariably arrive in small flocks, the birds keep- 
ing together if they happen to alight first in the neighbourhood 
of a garden or corn-yard, but very soon becoming scattered and 
solitary elsewhere. Walls both of stones and turf are much 
resorted to, for there both food and shelter for their tiny bodies 
may be found in almost every crevice. Sometimes, when a 
wall is being pulled down, one may be found either half starved 
or frozen to death, from which circumstance has arisen the 
mistaken belief that many of these birds regularly hybernate. 
