BEARDED TIT. 



351 



The movement is rapid along the stalk to the bottom, where 

 they creep and flit, perfectly concealed from view by the 

 closeness of the covert, and the resembling tints of their 

 plumage.*" Mr. Hoy says, " the borders of the large pieces 

 of fresh water in Norfolk called broads, particularly Hickling 

 and Horsey Broads, are the favorite places of resort of this 

 bird ; indeed it is to be met with in that neighbourhood 

 wherever there are reeds in any quantity, with fenny land 

 adjoining. During the autumn and winter they are found 

 dispersed, generally in small parties, throughout the whole 

 length of the Suffolk coast, wherever there are large tracts of 

 reeds. I have found them numerous in the breeding season 

 on the skirts of Whittlesea, near Huntingdonshire ; and they 

 are not uncommon in the fenny district of Lincolnshire ; 

 whether they are to be met with farther north I have had 

 no means of ascertaining ; but they do not appear to have 

 been noticed north of the Humber. It bee-ins building 

 towards the end of April. The nest is composed on the 

 outside with the dead leaves of the reed and sedge, inter- 



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