220 BEARDED TIT. 
in Cambridgeshire; the Lincolnshire fens; the Suffolk coast; 
Barking, and between Erith and London, and other parts 
down the river, in .Essex; near Cowbit, in Lancashire; 
Winchelsea, in Sussex; the banks of the Thames upwards 
towards Oxford; one near Elston, in Cornwall, in January, 
1846; and formerly near Gloucester. In Surrey, near 
Godalming; in Kent, down the river; in Hertfordshire, near 
Tring, and near Hitchin, both in December, 1848, and 
therefore probably the same flock. In Scotland it is unknown. 
In Ireland, one was taken on the banks of the Shannon. 
Marshy situations, as producing the reeds which furnish its 
food, are naturally frequented by this most exceedingly elegant 
species. 
In their attitudes, while feeding, these birds resemble the 
other Titmice; if disturbed, they drop down among the reeds, 
which they afterwards climb up again with nimble dexterity; 
‘apropos’ of which, I must not forget to mention that the 
origin of the name ‘Titmouse’ has been conjectured to be 
from the mouse-like stealthy creeping of the family around 
the branches of trees. Their flight is in general only just 
sufficiently protracted to clear the summit of the reeds, on 
the tops of which they also alight to feed on the seeds. In 
the autumn and winter they go in small flocks of two or 
three families. They are easily tamed. 
Their food consists of seeds, principally of the reed, insects 
amd their larve, and minute snails. 
The note somewhat resembles that of the Blue Titmouse, 
and has also been likened to the syllables ‘ping, ping;’ possibly 
one of its names, the Pinnock, may be hence derived. It is 
said to be very soft, musical, and clear in its tone. A con- 
tributor to Loudon’s ‘Magazine of Natural History’ thus 
described it in giving an account of a flock which he had 
had an opportunity of observing:—‘“They were just topping 
the reeds in their flight, and uttering in full’ chorus their 
sweetly musical note; it may be compared to the music of 
very small cymbals; is clear and ringing, though soft, and 
eorresponds well with the delicacy and beauty of the form 
and colour of the bird. Several flocks were seen during the 
morning. Their flight was short and low, only sufficient to 
clear the reeds, on the seedy tops of which they alight to 
feed, hanging, like most of their tribe, with the head or back 
downwards. If disturbed, they immediately descend by running, 
or rather by dropping. Their movement is rapid along the 
