GOLDCREST. 145. 
times are seen on open heaths, among furze bushes, and visit 
hedges, and birch, oak, cedar, willow, alder, and other trees, 
and even such low plants and bushes as the broom, in their 
vicinity, and rose trees and creeping plants near houses. ‘They 
are lively and agile in all their movements, and scldom even 
hop without using their wings. 
They are gregarious in their habits, and, except during the 
breeding season, “travel in flocks, or rather societies, of greater 
or less numbers. When thus roaming, as indeed at all times, 
they are far from shy; and you can well watch them 
fluttering from bough to bough, from tree to tree, from 
plantation to plantation, ever in motion, and always interesting 
to behold. They are often joined by flocks of different species 
ot Titmice, and:a few Creepers. They are hardy and robust, 
though of such tender make, and brave the severity of the 
northern winter, though to some individuals of them it proves. 
fatal. The female is ver y fearless and intrepid when she has 
a nest to protect, and will suffer a very close approach before 
quitting it. “They will even continue on the branch while 
the nest is inspected, uttering shrill and distressing cries, and 
erecting the crest, as if wishful to attack the ageressor.’ 
Ate dle Wilkinson, Esq., of Walsham Hall, Sutfolk, has sent 
me the following instance of this:— 
‘I myself can record a remarkable instance of the courage 
and intrepidity displayed by this charming little creature, 
during the process of incubation. I one day perceived a nest 
on a fir tree, in our orchard plantation, upon which I ascended, 
and after a considerable deal of trouble, sueceeded in removing 
her from her nest, when to my great surprise she defended 
it with the utmost firmness and resolution sitting on a twig 
over against it, pecking and flying at my hand till I withdrew 
it, when she resumed her seat with apparent tranquility. An 
instance of the docility of this clegant little bird perhaps would 
not be out of place. In April, 1851, a pair built their nest 
between tle woodwork of our drawing-room window and the 
brickwork of the house, which only allowed them an, aperture 
to enter not large enough to admit the first finger; and in 
spite of the piano, which was constantly played on, and close 
to the window, they hatched, but unfortunately, when the 
Hall was being repaired, the workmen pillaged the nest of 
its inhabitants.” 
Two of these birds have been known to fight so determinedly 
that they were captured together with the hand and placed 
VOL iv. L 
