PERCHING BIRDS. 87 
P. biarmicus have been seen in our district. The 
“bottle tit,’ as it is most commonly called with us, is 
very plentiful in our woods and plantations, particularly 
in those where there is a growth of underwood, in which 
it delights to place its nest. I have found it especially 
abundant in a large wood called the Catwins, on the 
outskirts of Thoresby Park. I have never met with a 
nest at a greater height from the ground than about 
four or five feet, nor is it at all particular as to conceal- 
ment. I have most commonly found it placed in the 
fork of a young hawthorn, and on two occasions, where 
the fork consisted of three stout twigs, they were all 
included in the body of the nest, the moss and wool 
being so closely and firmly fitted around them that it 
was utterly impossible to detach the nest from its sup- 
ports without completely pulling it to pieces. One of 
these especially excited my admiration, for the three 
branches, springing upwards equidistant from each 
other, were equally included in the structure they sup- 
ported, which was woven of green moss intermingled 
with wool, and decked outside with grey lichens, the 
whole presenting a beautifully symmetrical appearance. 
The opening was near the top, and, as is usual, the 
interior was almost filled with feathers. 
It has often been a wonder to me how the parent 
bird manages amongst such a mass of down to find all 
her numerous and tiny young ones. The opening to 
the nest is so small that when the bird enters, the in- 
terior must be almost in perfect darkness, and the marvel 
is that some of the gaping mouths below are not left un- 
supplied with food. But in this, as in all of our Maker's 
works, the means are perfectly adapted to the end, and 
if in any case we are unable to comprehend how this 
