INSESSORES. 59 



white head. Whether this peculiarity points to a 

 difference of race only, or is sufficient to constitute 

 it a distinct species, is a question for abler naturalists 

 to determine. Further observation on this point 

 may furnish some interesting results. I have, how- 

 ever, seen two British-killed specimens of the Long- 

 tailed Tit, both of which had white heads. One 

 of these is in the Museum at Newcastle-on-Tyne, 

 the other is in the fine collection of Mr. John 

 Hancock. 



On the 24th October, 1863, I saw rather an 

 unusual sight, namely, four species of Parus within 

 a few yards of each other. A little family of Long- 

 tailed Tits, and a pair of Blue Tits, were climbing 

 about the low branches of an oak, while a Cole Tit 

 and a pair of Great Tits were chattering and hunting 

 in the hedge immediately below them. Earwigs, 

 spiders, woodlice, and small beetles, form the prin- 

 cipal food of the Tits, and they prove good friends 

 to us in summer by carrying off great numbers of a 

 small green caterpillar. 



Bearded Tit, Parus hiarmicus. I have not yet 

 been fortunate enough to see the Bearded Tit in 

 this county, although Mr. Yarrell says that it is to 

 be found on the banks of the Thames, from London 

 upwards, as far as Oxford ; and the Eev. L. Jenyns, 

 in his ' Manual,' observes that it has been found 

 between Erith and London. I think the fact of its 

 being partial to a fenny district, where reed-beds 



