BRITISH BIRDS' yESTS. 301 



amongst tlie extensive reed-beds and marshes round 

 the Norfolk Broads, from whence it is likely to 

 become banished at no distant date. Indeed, it is 

 rumoured that the severe winter of 1891-5 has 

 annihilated it. 



Materials. — Dead aquatic vegetation, such as 

 leaves of reeds and blades of sedges, lined with 

 fine grass and seed-down. It is cup-shaped. 



Eggs. — Four to seven, white, faintl}'' tinged witli 

 cream colour, and marked with small specks, short 

 irregular streaks and splashes of dark brown. Size 

 about '7 by -56 in. Distinguished by situation, size 

 of eggs, and streaky markings. 



Time. — March, April, May, June, and July. 



BemarJis. — Eesident, but subject to local move- 

 ment. Notes shrill and musical when alarmed, 

 Tliev also utter a clear silvery note before alio-htini>- 

 which sounds something like tiug, ting, ting. 

 Local and other names : Eeed Pheasant. Sits 

 closely, and is difficult to see on account of its 

 habit of hiding amongst reeds. 



TIT, BLUE. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length from four 

 to four and a half inches. Bill short, strong and 

 dusky. Irides dark brown. Crown clear blue, 

 under which runs a band of white on either side. 

 From the base of the beak, through the eyes, passes 

 a bluish-l)lack line. Cheeks white ; a broadish circle 

 of dusky blue runs round from the back of the head 

 to the throat, where it becomes almost black. Back 

 and rump lemonish-green ; wings and tail blue, 

 the former marked with white on the coverts and 

 tertials. Chin and throat blue-black ; breast, belly, 



