310 BRITISH BIJiDS' XEsTS. 



of the tail are much graduated in length, those in 

 the centre being about an inch and three-quarters 

 longer than those on the sides. Cheeks and ear- 

 coverts white, the latter mixed with grey. Chin, 

 throat, breast, belly, and under-parts greyish-white, 

 tinged with purplish-red on the sides, flanks, vent, 

 and under tail-coverts ; legs, toes, and claws almost 

 black. 



The female is somewhat similar, with the excep- 

 tion of her head, which has more black upon it ; 

 hoAvever, both sexes are subject to variation in the 

 intensity of coloration. 



Situation and LocaJitj/. — In whitethorn hedges, 

 sloe, gorse, and wild rose bushes. I have a specimen 

 taken from a bramble bush, wdiich is very similar 

 to a bottle. Our illustration is from a photo- 

 graph of a nest situated in a low, thick hedge 

 near London. It is found in nearly all suitable 

 localities throughout the British Isles. 



Materials. — Moss, lichens, wool, spiders' webs, 

 cunningly felted together, and skilfully formed into 

 an oval-shaped nest, which is plentifully lined with 

 feathers and securely fastened to its surroundings. 



Eggs. — Seven to ten; as many as twenty have 

 been found, but such a number was undoubtedly 

 the production of two hens. White or rosy-white 

 until blown, by reason of the yolk showing througli 

 the delicate shell, with very small, faint red or 

 reddish-brown spots, sometimes collected round the 

 larger end, at others sparingly scattered over the 

 entire surface ; occasionally without spots altogether. 

 Size about -57 by -44 in. The smaller number of 

 spots, the character and situation of the nest, and 

 the appearance of the parent birds readily identify 

 the eggs of this Tit. 



Time. — March, April, May, and June. 



