BEARDED TITMOUSE. 517 



pletely eflfected." It shoiikl perhaps be remarked that, 

 though there is not the sKghtest reason to doubt Mr. Dike's 

 statement in the instances he noticed, the evidence of all 

 other observers is in favour of the seed of the reed {Anindo 

 2)hragmite-^) being the staple food of this species in winter, 

 but at other seasons the numerous reed-haunting insects 

 in their various stages. 



In the same year Hoy described (Mag. Nat. Hist. iii. 

 p. 328) the habits of this species as noticed by himself. " The 

 borders of the large pieces of fresh water in Norfolk called 

 Broads, particularly Hickling and Horsey Broads, are the 

 favourite places of resort of this bird ; indeed it is to be met 

 with in that neighbourhood wherever there are reeds in any 

 quantity, with fenny land adjoining. During the autumn 

 and winter they are found dispersed, generally in small 

 parties, throughout the whole length of the Suffolk coast, 

 wherever there are large tracts of reeds." He goes on to say 

 that he had found it numerous in the breeding-season on 

 the skirts of Whittlesea Mere, in Huntingdonshire, and 

 that it was not uncommon in the fens of Lincolnshire. 

 After describing the nest and eggs, he mentions that in 

 winter, when the birds were intently searching for food, he had 

 taken them with a birdlime twig attached to the end of a 

 fishing-rod, and that when alarmed by any sudden noise, or 

 the passing of a Hawk, they utter their shrill musical notes, 

 and conceal themselves among the thick bottom of the reeds, 

 but soon resume their station, climbing the upright stems 

 with the greatest facility. When feeding they often hang 

 head downwards, and assume most beautiful attitudes. " I 

 have been enabled", he continues, "to watch their motions 

 when in search of insects, having, when there has been a 

 little wind stirring, been often within a few feet of them, 

 quite unnoticed, among the thick reeds. Was it not for 

 their note betraying them, they would be but seldom seen." 

 He concludes by saying that they apj^ear to keep in families 

 until the pairing-season, but that they occasionally congre- 

 gated in large flocks, particularly in October, when they are 

 migrating from their breeding-places. 



