eae 
length, by four inches broad and deep. They should have easily lifting lids, and at one end 
a small hole should be cut. The hole must be small to prevent large birds and squirrels 
from intruding or robbing. The box, for convenient observation, should be nailed some five 
feet from the ground. No nesting material should be inserted; every shred of it will be 
ejected before the real nest is begun. The box sbould be placed in position some months 
before the nesting season, so that it may get weatherworn, and so that the birds may become 
accustomed to its presence. 
The nesting box was suggested by the nesting places sometimes selected by the Tit and 
other birds, such as wooden pumps, cross road letter boxes, and the like; and certainly it is 
most popular with some classes of birds, Tomtits especially.* 
In these boxes the Tomtits industriously construct their mossy, feathery, furry nests, 
and lay their numerous clutch of brown-spotted white eggs, which are most carefully covered 
out of sight when business or pleasure calls them away from home. In due time the downy 
little chicks arrive, and, as they grow and fatten and put on feathers, the nest becomes 
unduly congested ; and often the young broods have 
to be content to live in layers, one set on the top of 
another. This is especially the case with the Blue 
Tit, which rears the largest broods. It is always a 
mystery how the unfortunate and over-driven 
parents manage to know each time whose turn it is 
to be fed, for each and every chick is always 
clamorous for food. Perhaps, as the top layer is 
fed, it sinks by the force of gravity to the bottom, 
and the lighter and unfed layer comes to the top! 
These nest boxes bring out again the difference 
of disposition. The Coal Tit and the Marsh Tit 
nervously fly off the nest at the approaching foot- 
step, and twitter tremulously around while the 
precious box is being examined. The Blue Tit 
sometimes, the Great Tit nearly always, will remain 
sitting on the eggs or covering the young if the 
lid of the box be gently opened. The Blue Tit, 
anxiously and attentively watching for any further CRESTED TIT. 
sign of danger, sits silent, till, the strain becoming 
more than she can bear, off she flies. The Great Tit, on the other hand, will even allow itself 
to be stroked; but it keeps a stern eye on the intruder, and relieves its feelings the while 
by audibly swearing. 
A box full of little Blue Tits, just ready to fly, is as pretty a sight as one could wish 
to see ; and for days after they leave the box the family flutter around its immediate 
neighbourhood. 
All the Tits nest in holes or boxes as above described excepting the Long-tailed Tit, 
which builds a beautifully constructed oval nest, with a small hole on the side, composed of 
lichens, moss, spiders’ webs, etc., closely felted together, and well lined with feathers or hair. 
The nest is placed in a bush, creeper, or ivy, or else in the branch of a tree—sometimes low 
down and at others high up. They lay from eight to twelve white eggs, spotted with red. 
I commend the Titmice to the observation of all lovers of birds, and their protection to 
all those interested in gardening or agriculture. 
* Besides the four Tomtits above mentioned, we have constantly building in our small boxes the 
Redstart, the uninvited and ubiquitous Sparrow, and the sleek and cute-looking Nuthatch, who, for greater 
security, clays down the lid of the bor. Occasionally even the Wryneck condescends to come; nesting late, 
he mostly chooses a box in which a Tomtit has already built and hatched, incontinently evicts all the young 
Tomtits, kicks out all the nest, and lays his own delicate and transparent white eggs on the bare boards. 
Pamphlets on the general question of Protection of Birds may also be obtained from the Society’s 
Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 326, High Holborn, W.C., or of Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hon, Sec., 
Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 
