In autumn this species wanders about in small parties, while large numbers frequently arrive on our eastern shores from the Continent in October.
General colour above yellowish olive green. Forehead whitish, bordered on either side by a blackish streak. Crown of the head and crest bright lemon yellow, becoming deep reddish orange behind. Wings brown with white tips to the secondaries and a black bar across the upper part. Median and greater wing coverts with white margins. Under parts greenish buff. The female lacks the bright orange in the crest and the young bird has no crest. Length 3·6 in.; wing 2·1 in.
FIRE-CRESTED WREN
Regulus ignicapillus
(above)
GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN
Regulus cristatus
(below)
THE FIRECREST
Regulus ignicapillus (C. L. Brehm)
This species is a rare wanderer to our southern counties during the winter months, although doubtless from its extreme similarity to the Goldcrest it may have been overlooked on several occasions. It nests throughout Southern and Central Europe, migrating southwards from its more northerly quarters on the approach of winter.
In appearance it hardly differs from the Goldcrest, but may be distinguished at all ages by a yellow frontal streak that passes backwards over the eye, succeeded by a black line through the eye, while another black streak runs backwards from the nape. Length 3·7 in.; wing 2·1 in.
THE YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER
Phylloscopus superciliosus (J. F. Gmelin)
This is an Asiatic species breeding in North-Eastern Siberia and wintering in South China, Burma, and North-Eastern India. It has been obtained on several occasions in these islands.
The upper parts are olive green, under parts pale yellow. There is a faint yellowish stripe along the crown of the head and a very conspicuous yellow stripe, which passes over the eye, from the base of the bill to the nape. There are two bands of lemon yellow across the coverts, and the inner web of the outer tail feathers is margined with white. Length 3·8 in.; wing 2·15 in.