BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 313 



it, but it is somewhat scarce, esi^ecially in the 

 northern parts of both countries. 



Maferiah. — Moss and fine dried grass, lined 

 with wool, leathers, liair, rabbits' down, ripe 

 catkins of tlie willow, the whole being compactly 

 knitted together, and tightly wedged into the 

 situation chosen for their reception. 



Eggs. — Six to ten, white, spotted with reddish- 

 brown, more thickly at the larger end. The spots 

 are variable in size, number, and distribution. They 

 very closely resemble those of the Creeper, Blue Tit, 

 Coal Tit, Nuthatch, and Great Tit, although, as 

 a rule, they are somewhat smaller than the last. 

 Size about -63 by -49 in. 



Time. — April, May, and June. 



Bemai-ls. — Eesident. Notes : all, cliee-cliee or 

 2:)eli, jieli, uttered quickly, and several times in 

 succession, and a kind of whistle, m.ade use of 

 only in the spring, according to Montagu. Local 

 and other names : Black Cap, Little Black-headed 

 Tomtit, AVillow Biter, Coalhead. Sits closely, and 

 hisses and bites when disturbed. 



TWITE. Also Mountain Linnet. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five 

 and a quarter inches; bill short, broad at the base, 

 and pale yellowish flesh colour, L-ides hazel. 

 Crown, neck, back, and upj^er tail-coverts dark 

 brown, the feathers being edged with light rufous- 

 brown ; rump purplish-red ; wing and tail quills 

 very dark brown, more or less edged on the outer 

 webs with white. The feathers round the base of 

 the beak and below the eyes tile-red ; sides of the 

 head dark brown, edged with a lighter tinge ; chin 



