251 



a representative of the species, b}' the way, that won the 

 Memorial Trophy for the rarest bird at the last Palace 

 vShow. 



Further oti several species of Weavers, the Orange, 

 Red-billed, Napoleon, and Madagascar among others, 

 showed up prominently against the sable beauty of a 

 Long-tailed Whydali bird, who displayed his wonderful 

 tail to the best advantage, by long sweeping flights. As 

 the shades of evening fell more quickly the birds retired 

 to shelter, the last one I noticed being a Bleeding Heart 

 Pigeon standing meditatively beneath a large tree. A 

 rapid glance at the Great Aviary with its splendid 

 collection of Aquatic Birds followed — and my visit was at 

 an end. J. A. Swan. 



THE BEARDED TITMOUSE IN NORFOLK. 



Tliis elegant little bird, locally known as the " Reed 

 Pheasant," and sometimes more appropriately called the 

 Bearded Keedling, remains with us throughout theyear ; 

 but is confined almost entirely to the district of the 

 Broads, where the swampy nature of the soil and the 

 extensive reed beds afford it food and shelter. 



The Reedling commences breeding operations early 

 in the spring — building in the month of March. Nests 

 containing eggs have been found in the first week in 

 April. The nests are generally placed amongst the reed 

 stems close to the water's edge, supported on loose 

 herbage that forms the foundation of the reed beds, but 

 never in any way suspended. The materials consist of 

 the dead leaves of the sedge and reed, loosely interwoven 

 on the outside, whilst the feathery top of the reed forms 

 the onl}' lining. 



To obtain one of these nests entire it is necessary to 

 cut and remove reed, roots, and soil. The eggs vary in 

 number and are very transparent, having a white ground 

 with streaks of red. Formerly these were much sought 

 for by collectors, and a good price has been paid for a 

 genuine clutch (which could be obtained from one 



