l6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



are easily reared on ants' eggs, meal worms, and other 

 insects, eked out with a little bread and milk. 



The second bird referred to at the commencement of this 

 section is known by the name of Bearded Tit. 



Family — Pafiuridcr. 



Genus — Paniirus biaruiiais. 



This handsome bird was at one time fairly common in 

 England, but of late years is but rarely seen, even in the 

 eastern counties, which used to be its favourite haunt. 

 The upper parts are ruddy fawn, but the forehead and 

 cheeks have a tinge of grey ; the wing coverts are brown 

 with yellow margins, and the flights are slate grey ; the 

 chin and sides are white, changing to pale fawn on the 

 breast and belly ; the vent is black, and the lores, as well 

 as a broad line extending from them down the sides of the 

 face, are of the same colour, and from tlieir shape and 

 position give the bird its trivial name. The outer tail 

 feathers are white, the bill yellow, and the long legs and 

 feet dark slate. 



Small insects of all kinds, but chietly Hies, gnats, and 

 midges, are its diet. In the house, ants' eggs, young meal 

 worms, black beetles, and silk-worms will keep it in health 

 and beauty for a long time ; but on artificial food, no matter 

 how cunningly devised and cleverly compounded, it will 

 not loner survive. Some observers credit the bearded tit 

 with eating the seeds of grass, sedge, etc. 



Beauty of plumage, elegance of shape, sprightly deport- 

 ment, and pleasing song, are its attractive qualities. It is 

 perfectly harmless and entirely useful, and needs all the 

 protection that can be afforded to it, if it is to remain in 

 the list of our native birds. 



Most examples of this species that are to be met with in 



