follows: — Length 4TV inches; breadth 6^ inches; length
from the carpus to the end of the wing, inches; tail 1 -^
inches; the bill from the gape to the tip n e a r ly ^ ; and
from the tips of the feathers, which extend to the extremity of
the nostrils, a quarter of an inch. The whole of the upper
plumage a greenish-yellow; on the centre of the crown of the
head is a streak of paler; a light lemon-coloured streak extends
over the eye from the base of the bill to the occiput; a short
streak of the same colour passes beneath the eye, and a narrow
band of dusky passes through the eye, and reaches the
termination of the auriculars. The under parts pale yellow ;
the ridge of the wing bright lemon colour; wing-feathers
dusky, edged with pale yellow, becoming broader on the
secondaries ; two conspicuous bands of lemon colour across
the coverts ; the wings reach to within three quarters of an inch
of the end of the tail. Bill brown, with the under mandible
paler at the base ; mouth yellow ; legs and toes brown, with
the under surface of the toes inclining to yellow ; claws brown.
Its manners, as far as I had an opportunity of examining
them, were so like those of the Golden-crested Wren, that
at first I mistook it for that species. It was continually in
motion, flitting from place to place in search of insects on
umbelliferous plants, and such other herbage as the bleak
banks of the Northumberland coast affords; such a situation
could not be at all suited to the habits of this species, and
there can be little doubt that it had arrived at the coast previous
to, or immediately after, its autumnal migrations.1’
* “ When Mr. Gould’s figure appeared in the ‘ Birds of Europe,’ we expressed
an opinion that this might only prove a young bird of some of the other
species, and we rejoice that an opportunity has now occurred of clearing this
doubt. Mr. Hancock has stated to Mr. Selby, that the covering of the nostrils
in his specimen consists of various feathers, and not of a single plumulet as in
the other Reguli; this will afford a distinguishing mark, and will moreover
destroy the importance of the structure as a generic character. We would recommend,
however, that the nestling or first plumage of the Regulus auroca-
pillus and ignicapillus should still be examined.”—Note by the Editors.
INSESSORES. SYLVIADJE
EENTIROSTRE S.
TH E GOLDEN CRESTED REGULUS.
Sylvia Regulus, Golden Crested Warbler, P enn. Brit. Zool. vol. i. p. 514.
Motacilla „ „ „ Wren, M ontagu, Ornith. Diet.
>f j | ,, B ewick, Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 270.
Regulus cristatus, ,, Crowned ,, P e em. Brit. An. p. 72.
„ auricapillus, Gold Crested Regulus, Selby, Brit. Ornith. vol. i. p. 229.
,, ,, ,, ,, ,, J enyns, Brit. Vert. p. 113.
,, vulgaris, ,, ,, Wren, G ould, Birds of Europe, pt. iii-
Sylvia Regulus, Roitelet ordinaire, T emm, Man. d’Ornith. vol. i. p. 229.
Regulus cristatus, ,, ,, »» Suppt. ou 3eme pt. p. 157.
R egulus. Generic Characters.— Beak slender, straight, the edges dilated at
the base, compressed towards the point. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly
covered by small feathers directed forwards. W ings of moderate length: the
first quill-feather very short; the second shorter than the third ; the fourth or
fifth the longest in the wing. Begs rather slender ; feet with three toes before,
one behind ; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle toe; claws curved
and sharp.