444 PARUS ATER. 



or pine, of which the summer dress is not different from that 

 of winter. 



" In woodlands," says Mr Hepburn, " it is common to see 

 it hopping on the ground, and uttering its harsh notes, if-hee, 

 if-hee. It delights to examine a ditch that has just been cleaned 

 out. I have seen it pull small earth-worms to pieces and de- 

 vour them. I have heard this bird compound a note, which 

 it repeated for twenty minutes or so, and then seem to forget 

 it. The young are fledged in the beginning of July."" 



The nest, which is placed in the hole or crevice of a wall or 

 decayed tree, is composed of moss intermixed with the hair of 

 various animals, and with a lining of wool and hair. The 

 eggs are from five to eight, seven-twelfths long, nearly six- 

 twelfths in breadth, white, with light red spots and dots. 



Young. — The young differ from the adult only in having 

 the tints duller. 



