GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 
329 
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, ob- 
serves, it seems to frequent the oak trees in preference to all 
others. I have more than once seen a brood of these in a large 
oak in the middle of a lawn, the whole little family of which, 
as soon as able, were in perpetual motion, and gave great plea- 
sure to many who viewed them. The nest of one of these has 
also been made in a garden on a fir tree; it was composed of 
moss, the opening on one side, in shape roundish; it was lined 
with a downy substance, fixed with small filaments. It is said 
to sing very melodiously ^ very like the Common Wren, but 
weaker.”*’ In Pennsylvania they continue with us from Octo- 
ber to December, and sometimes to January. 
The Golden-crested Wren is four inches long, and six inches 
and a half in extent; back a fine yellow olive; hind head and 
sides of the neck inclining to ash; a line of white passes round 
the frontlet extending over and beyond the eye on each side; 
above this another line or strip of deep black passes in the same 
manner, extending farther behind; between these two strips of 
black lies a bed of glossy golden yellow, which being parted a 
little, exposes another of a bright flame colour, extending over 
the whole upper part of the head; when the little warbler flits 
among the branches in pursuit of insects, he opens and shuts 
this golden ornament with great adroitness, which produces a 
striking and elegant effect; lores marked with circular points of 
black; below the eye is a rounding spot of dull white; from the 
upper mandible to the bottom of the ear feathers runs a line of 
black, accompanied by another of white from the lower man- 
dible; breast light cream colour; sides under the wings and vent 
the same; wings dusky, edged exteriorly with yellow olive; 
* Synopsis ir, 509. 
VOL. II. T t 
