484. BRITISH BIRDS. 
spotted and speckled over the whole surface with brownish red, others with 
the markings in a confluent zone round the end. In some specimens this 
band is increased into an irregular patch, which almost conceals the ground- 
colour of the large end of the egg; whilst in others the spots are very rich 
and bold, forming bands of colour round the egg. The colour of the spots 
is also subject to variation; and usually those eggs which are evenly and 
minutely marked have the spots darker red than those specimens in which 
the markings are larger. Clutches are sometimes obtained in which the 
spots are almost absent, or displayed on one of the eggs only; but as a 
rule the eggs of the Crested Tit are more richly and boldly spotted than 
those of its allies. They measure from ‘7 to ‘6 inch in length, and from 
‘05 to *47 inch in breadth. 
The food of the Crested Tit is composed of insects and small seeds of 
various kinds ; and, like all its congeners, it is of great service in ridding 
the twigs and buds of vast quantities of injurious pests. It is also said to 
feed on juniper-berries. 
The Crested Tit has the general colour of the upper parts from below the 
nape buffish brown, becoming dusky brown on the wings and tail; the 
feathers of the head are black, broadly margined with dull white, those 
from the crown backwards considerably elongated and recurved, forming a 
graceful crest; from the base of the bill through the eye to the back of 
the head, thence coming downwards to below the cheeks, is a black band; 
another band of the same colour, and separated from the foregoing by a 
white band, crosses the head, neck, and, passing round the white ear- 
coverts and cheeks, joins the black on the throat. The breast is dirty 
white ; and the belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts are pale buffish brown. 
Bill black; legs and feet lead-colour; irides brown. The female is 
similar to the male in colour, but has the crest shorter and the black on 
the throat less developed. Birds of the year resemble females. 
