allen’s naturalist’s library. 
156 
with the exception of the last yea' - , when, strange to say, the 
numbers were below the average. An unusual spring ‘ rush ’ 
took place in 188a. On such occasions bushes in gardens on 
the coast are covered with birds as with a swarm of bees ; 
crowds flutter round the lanterns of lighthouses ; and the 
rigging of fishing-smacks in the North Sea is thronged with 
weary travellers. In April a return migration occurs.” 
Range outside the British Islands. — Generally distributed through- 
out Europe, in most parts being resident, but in the north it is 
a migratory species. It is found as far as the Arctic Circle in 
Scandinavia, in North Russia to 63° N. lat., and eastwards up 
to 6o°. It appears to vary slightly towards the Pacific, and in 
the Japanese islands the Gold-Crest has a greyish nape. This 
Japanese form is approached in character by the Himalayan 
Gold-Crest, and at the present time Regulus regulus is recog- 
nised as the dominant form of the Palasarctic region, with cer- 
tain variations in its eastward habitat, which are not considered 
worthy of specific recognition. Thus Mr. Oates states that 
the Himalayan Gold-Crest cannot be separated from the Euro- 
pean bird, and Mr. Seebohm will not allow that the Japanese 
race is specifically distinct. 
Habits. — In speaking of the Tits, the Creepers, and the Nut- 
hatches, we have referred to the sociable companionship which 
induces these birds to unite together in family parties during 
the winter. There is still one other companion of these 
winter gatherings, the little Gold-Crest, thesmallest of European 
birds, and consequently the smallest of our British species. It 
is, however, a very active and vigorous little bird, quite as 
sprightly as the Tits with which it consorts, and remarkable 
for its loud call-note, which is singularly piercing for such a 
small creature to utter. Its song is decidedly superior to that 
of the Tits, and is more Warbler-like, though somewhat weak. 
The Gold-Crest may be found in almost any situation, in 
pursuit of the tiny insects which constitute almost its sole 
sustenance, and in winter it is found in the open woods, flying 
in company with its friends the Tits and Creepers, and 
foraging through the bushes and undergrowth as well as the 
oaks above. At all times, however, it shows a preference for 
yew-trees or firs, either for their nesting association or for 
