GOLDEN-CRESTEI) WREN.
REGULUS CRISTATUS.
THE GoMen-crrsted Wren is distributed over tlie British Islands from north to south, occurring perhaps
most abundantly in the neighbourhood of extensive tir-plan tat ions. Though this familiar and lively little
bird remains with us as a resident throughout the year, I have noticed in several counties that fresh
arrivals take place in autumn; and such being the case, it is reasonable to suppose a corresponding
number h-ave in spring.
In the Highlands this species may be described as decidedly local, the largo tracts of barren moorland
being randy visited, though I have on more than one occasion remarked a small party in some straggling
belt of lirs on the mountain-side. I never delected these birds at any considerable elevation on the hills,
even though the tops were Hell wooded.
There is not the slightest doubt that immense flights at times reach this country from across the North
Sen during the autumn. Early one morning, alwut the middle of October IStM, I discovered a plantation
of Scotch firs near North Berwick, on the coast of East Lothian, literally swarming with these birds. On
numberless trees, especially in the more sheltered parts of the wood, they were clustered thickly on the
lower brunches, eagerly searching for food. As they took not the slightest notice of the presence of several
observers, it is probable these tiny travellers had but recently niade the land, famished and worn out
by the length i\\ their journey. When once their strength is regained, the birds forming these gatherings
soon disperse, and move onward to some fresh locality. On reaching the spot the following morning,
provided with a supply of dusl-sliot and powerful field-glasses, in order to leam if any Firecrests were
in their ranks, I was unable to delect a single specimen of cither species. Considering it most probable
the birds might be met with in some of the neighbouring tir-woods, 1 turned westward and thoroughly
searched several plantations without success. As a large flight was reported on Ihe coast of Northumberland
immediately after ibis date, it was evident the army of Goldcrcsts had proceeded in an easterly
direction, and followed the coast-line towards ihe south.
Judging from my own observations, and also by the information received from fishermen and
others engaged in the North Sea, I conclude there is little doubt that when few are noticed on
our coasts contrary winds and prolonged storms have claimed their victims and the birds have
perished at sea. With the exception of some five or six individuals, I have never personally met with
tins species while crossing the North Sea during the autumnal migration; though on one occasion the
remains of a dozen nt least were detected, together with a few unfortunate Troe-Sparrnws and Chaffinches,
drowned and draggled in the water in the bottom of a smaek's boat, in which they had probably
taken refuge on the previous night to escape the force of the drifting squalls. Several fishermen
well acquainted with the bird have assured me that, about ihe height of the herring-voyage, scores
have occasionally settled on the luggers to rest. One man in particular, who had rejieatedly watched