With the exception of the Humming Birds, the Gold crests are the smallest birds in creation. The natural size of the only species found in this country is here represented; while the weight seldom exceeds eighty grains. Notwithstanding its delicate structure, this beautiful little bird braves the severest winters of Northern Europe: it is found in Denmark (_Müll. Zool. Dan._), and extends to the borders of the Arctic Circle, (_Temm._) It is more frequent with us than is generally supposed, but its diminitive size screens it from observation. It is perpetually in motion: hopping among the branches, examining every leaf and spray, and will frequently catch minute insects that endeavour to escape, by darting at them like a Flycatcher: we have repeatedly watched a pair of these birds which frequented our garden at Warwick, in the middle of winter, for three years: their favourite resort was an old fir-tree, which they regularly and carefully explored, much in the manner of the Titmice (_Parii_.) If the name of _Sylvia_ is to be retained in Ornithological systems, it should obviously be applied to this, which has been correctly thought the typical group of the whole family. _Acanthiza_, for reasons elsewhere explained, appears a subordinate type, and _Phyllopneuste_ cannot be adopted, without a glaring violation of natural affinities. * * * * * * [Illustration: PHÆNICORNIS _flammeus_. _Orange Redbird._] PHÆNICORNIS flammeus. _Orange Redbird._ ---- Family Laniadæ. Sub-family Ceblepyrinæ. _Nob._ GENERIC(?) CHARACTER. _Bill_ with the sides compressed, the under mandible rather thick, the gonyx ascending: _rictus_ bristled. _Feathers_ on the back and _rump_ slightly spinous. _Wings_ short. _Tail_ rather lengthened, graduated, the tip forked: the feathers narrow. PHÆNICORNIS. _Nob. Boié (pars.)_ ---- SPECIFIC CHARACTER. _Glossy black and golden orange: head, throat, wings, upper part of the back and middle of the tail glossy black; wings with two stripes of orange._ Muscicapa flammea. _Auct. Tem. Pl. Col. pl. 263._ Mus. Paris. Nost. ---- The Birds now arranged under this group, exclusively belong to Southern India and its luxuriant Islands. About five species have been discovered, most of which are ornamented with a plumage of the brightest scarlet, crimson, or orange, relieved by glossy black. Their economy is not known, but their structure leads us to believe they live upon caterpillars and soft insects; as another group, representing these birds in Africa, are known to prefer such food. Both have the back feathers thick and rigid; although these characters are least apparent in _Phænicornis_. Our figure is nearly of the natural size. The female is stated to be yellow, where the male is orange. It appears to be not uncommon in Java.