220 BEAHDED TIT. 



in Cambridgeshire; the Lincohishire 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 

 arid their larvce, and minute snails. 



The note somewhat resembles that of the Blue Titmouse, 

 and has also been likened to the syllables *piug, 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 

 corresponds 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 suflicient 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 immediatel}^ descend by running, 

 or rather by dropping. Their movement is rapid along the 



