952 GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.

and returning again in the month of March towards the
north. In that country, however, flocks of them reside
during the whole year, uniting together as the year
advances, and searching out those spots where their food,
which consists of small insects, is most abundant. He
adds, that they are easily taken by cautiously approach-
ing the branch on which they generally perch themselves,
and touching them softly with a lime twig, attached to
a stick of sufficient length to reach them, the gentle
creatures become unresisting prisoners. When taken
they are easily tamed, and will, in a very short time,
take their food from the hand; but such is their extreme
delicacy, that many die before one can be reared: once
accustomed to confinement, they have been known to
live a considerable time.”

A pair of these birds in the collection of Mr. Luscombe,
of Kingsbridge, were of a cream-colour, with the usual
yellow crown, by which the sexes are distinguished.
The song, which is short, weak, and with little variety,
is repeated at short intervals throughout the day, in spring,
and until it has young.