6 DECEMBER 1935, Page 16

A Sheltering Gold-Crest

Another little incident of the week in natural history may be worth recording. An ardent student of birds was walking aciess a Lilt of rough, rather marshy ground not so far from

London, when he almost trod on a field .mouse which dis- appeared into a tuft in front of him. For the sake of mere curious activity he searched the tuft to track down the mouse's retreat. To his utter astonishment .he found, lurking in the protection of the weeds, a single golden-crested wren. He took the bird into his hand and looked carefully to see if ho. could find any sign of injury ; but there was none. When ho opened his hand wide the bird climbed up on to his thumb, surveyed him and the world with unruffled calm, and after a while flew off out of sight. The weather was foul and the bird had apparently retired to the tuft just for protection. What a tame and what a brilliant bird it is 1 You may watch their where they are numerous—as in Westmorland in winter— almost as you may watch a flower ; and you will scarcely find a flower that has anthers or petals so vividly brilliant as the crested head.