86 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



season, no social tendency is evinced during the nesting 

 period. It is probable that the same nesting-place is 

 tenanted season by season where the birds are not much 

 disturbed. The nest of the Crested Titmouse is placed 

 in a hole in a tree, a dead branch or trunk being 

 selected by preference, at varying heights from the 

 ground, from a few inches to a dozen feet or more, 

 according to circumstances. If a suitable hole is not 

 accessible, it is said that the birds will make one for them- 

 selves in soft, rotten w^ood, notably in fences. In some 

 extra British localities the bird is said to make its nest 

 in the deserted home of a Crow or a Hawk, or even in 

 the disused drey of a squirrel. Curious sites have been 

 recorded : as, for instance, in boxes placed for the 

 accommodation of Starlings; whilst the bird has even 

 been said to take possession of the nest of a Wren or 

 a Long-tailed Titmouse. The nest is made of moss 

 and dry grass, and lined with wool, hair, fur, and 

 feathers well felted together. It is slovenly made, and 

 varies a good deal in the amount and description of 

 the materials. This Titmouse is a close sitter, usually 

 remaining on the eggs until forcibly removed. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of this species vary from five to eight in 

 number. They are white in ground colour, boldly 

 spotted, blotched, and freckled with brownish-red. The 

 distribution and size of the markings varies consider- 

 ably. On some eggs they are pretty equally dispersed 

 over the entire surface ; in others, they form a zone or 

 even a circular patch round or on the larger end. On 

 some varieties the spots are large, bold, and irregular, 

 and paler in colour than those on other varieties, on 

 which they are small and more or less round in shape. 

 Occasionally the eggs of this species are almost spotless. 

 Average measurement, "65 inch in length, by '5 inch in 



