GOl.TJEX-CRESTED IVREN.
their movements, staled that they would roost nil night in any shelter they could find, some even
creeping into the blocks, whore lie remarked they would remain " weeping * all night," and in the morning
fly down and pick about on the corks and other portions of the nets that were out of water. A cold
wind and the spray of the breaking seas would often prove fatal to those already exhausted, and num!<ors
were at times discovered either utterly helpless or dead. As it appeared that these birds were known to the
men by the name of " TTerriug-Spiuk," I was particular ¡11 inquiring whether they referred to the Chaffinch
(a frequent visitor to the boats during October), anil was at once satisfied they were well acquainted with that
bird. During the seasons I was in communication with the light-ships oil' the cast coast, 1 could gather hut
little information concerning the Golden-crested Wren from any of the crews of those vessels. I, however,
received ft wing from the "Lynn Well" early in the spring of 1S73, which would tend to prove that
n few at least return towards the north of Europe after passing the winter on our shores.
Though there is a general movement southward as winter approaches, I never either met with or received
information concerning one of the immense flights of Goldcrests except in the vicinity of the const and
during autumn. As early as the beginning of October I have remarked considerable additions to the
residents in Sussex, small parties being noticed in all parts of the county flitting along the hedgerows
in the open, as well as roaming through plantations with dense ami rank undergrowth. At this season
they frequently make their appearance in gardens, climbing over the shrubs and plants and closely
investigating all likely spots where insects are concealed. Occasionally for a short time they join in
company with Blue or Coal Tits and other small bird*. In order to capture minute insects, such as
gnats and flics, situated on the under surface of the foliage, I have repeatedly observed these birds
hovering below- the spot and snapping up their prey while on wing. The singular actions of a brightly
tinted male, one of a small flock of ten or a do/en, particularly attracted my attention as the party were
working their way through a garden near Brighton in the autumn of 1882. After earefuBy searching
the bark of several trees, the bird reached a somewhat faded and dilapidated willow, and immediately
darting at the leaves, he seized them one after another in his bill, tugging apparently in the most desperate
manner, each leaf evidently passing completely between his mandibles. I noticed this performance repeated
nt least, twenty times within three or four yards of where I was standing. For some weeks previous to
this date (OctoVr 19th) the stems of the willows had been infested by swarms of black aphides, which
had produced a dark and glutinous secretion on the foliage immediately below where they were
located. Possibly the flavour of this nnstiness was grateful to the palate of the tiny Kinglet; 1 ran
imagine no other cause for his eccentric behaviour. Several of these Wrens while climbing up the stems
of the willows halted fur a moment, and after intently regarding the heaving mass of aphides, immediately
passed on without further delay. I never detected any of the feathered tribe feeding on the black aphis,
though the green is eae^rly sought after by several of our Warblers.
In December 16S1 1 observed a wandering party of five or six Goldcrests, togelhcr with as many
Blue Tits, flitting from stem to stem through the reeds on lleigham Sounds in Norfolk. As soon as a
few stunted alders along the bank were reached, the Wrens made their way towards n neighbouring
plantation, while their former oempaniuns continued hunting for insnds among the reeds and rushes.
This is the only occasion on which I have noticed the species frequenting the reed-beds over the water,
though they commonly resort to the neighbouring woods and plantations.
I never detected any large gathering of the Golden -crested Wren in the early spring, at which date
they would bo supposed to start on their return journey towards the north. Though I spent two or three
seasons almost daily along the shores of the Firth of Forth (where the vast swarm was met with in
GOBDEN-CRESTED WREN".
October 1RC3), I remarked no accession to the usual inhabitants of the district. I also failed to notice
any quantity of these birds in early spring on the Norfolk coast.
The elaborately constructed and beautifully finished pendent nost of this species is well known to all
who take an interest in bird-life, being frequently seen in the various descriptions of yew and ornamental
fir in gardens and pleasure-grounds. In the Highlands this species appears to entertain an especial fancy
for plantations of Scotch fir of from ten or twelve to fifteen years' growth. I have repeatedly remarked
this fact in the counties of Boss, Inverness, and Perthshire.