CRESTED TIT. 199 



plentifully, tliougli 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 

 Edinbm-gh, and of Grlasgow, 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 jet 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 bii'd 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 



