302 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



in some of the northern districts and islands. The 

 species does not appear to have any regular migrations, 

 although roving in winter like our other Titmice. 

 Several geographical races occur in different parts of 

 Europe. Our own occupies the adjacent regions of the 

 mainland as well as the British area. 



In nesting habits this bird differs markedly from the 

 typical genus. A hole is not used, but an elaborate 

 domed nest is built in a bush, hedge, tree, or similar 

 situation. Its general shape — very high for its circum- 

 ference, and very large for the size of the owner — is well 

 shown in the accompanying plate. The opening is a 

 small hole high up in one side. The sitting bird bends 

 its tail over its back, so that the point projects beyond 

 its head and through this hole. The 'Bottle-Tit,' as 

 this bird is sometimes called, uses moss, lichens, wool, 

 spiders' webs, and other soft and delicate materials. For 

 a lining it adds a great number of feathers. Macgillivray 

 makes the following remarks about the feathers of a 

 particular nest : ' On being counted, the number was found 

 to be two thousand three hundred and seventy -nine. 

 They belonged chiefly to the Pheasant, Wood -Pigeon, 

 Rook, and Partridge ; but there were also feathers of the 

 breast of the Missel-Thinish, of the Yellow-Bunting, and 

 of several other birds.' The seven to ten or more white 

 eggs are marked with light red, usually in spots or streaks. 

 Two broods are often produced. Several observers have 

 recorded finding four adults to one nest, as if two pairs 

 sometimes shared a home. 



