CRESTED TIT. 199 
plentifully, though for the most part in small flocks. They 
are known to breed annually in plantations near Glasgow, and 
there is therefore no doubt that either the species is perma- 
nently resident in Scotland, or that it may be met with there 
in some part of every year. The instances of its occurrence 
that have been recorded, have been in the neighbourhood of 
Edinburgh, and of Glasgow, the forest of Glenmore, the pass 
of Killiekrankie, and near the River Spey, where two were 
killed in 1836, and where on another occasion, they were seen 
in considerable numbers—also in Argyleshire. In Ireland none 
have been yet seen. 
They appear to make partial migrations, or what may per- 
haps be better described as regular movements. 
Birds of this species are said to be of retired habits, to 
associate but little with their congeners, to keep together in 
-small flocks, sometimes in company with others of their kind, 
but to be quarrelsome one with another. In their ‘light fan- 
tastic,’ performances, they resemble the Blue Titmouse. They 
appear to be not at all shy, and have been observed to erect 
and depress the crest at pleasure. They are said to hatch 
two broods in the year. They are easily tamed. 
Their food consists of insects, spiders, the small seeds of 
evergreens, and berries. 
The note is described as resembling that of the Cole 
Titmouse, but as having a peculiar quaver at the end. Meyer 
renders it by the words ‘ghir-r-r-kee.’ The bird has also a 
chirp. 
The nest, which is composed of grass, moss, or lichens, and 
feathers, and doubtless any soft materials, is placed in a hole 
of a tree—the oak being said to be preferred, as also, according 
to 'Temminck, in rocks, or in the deserted nests of crows or 
squirrels; probably the particulars related of the other Titmice 
would apply to this one also, as to its location, for a nest 
examined by Mr. Hewitson was thus scooped out. He writes 
as follows:—‘When trees are felled in the forests, their trunks 
are left standing about two feet above the ground;’ (he is 
speaking, I should observe, of the forest of Kissingen, in 
Bavaria,) ‘and in the decayed wood of one of these, a hole 
was scooped to contain the nest of which I have spoken— 
just such a situation as would have been chosen by the Cole 
Titmouse.’ 
I may here be permitted to remark, that Mr. Selby’s assertion, 
that he had seen one of the Titmice engaged in hollowing out 
