[Case 77.] 
[Case 77. ] 
Caze 77.) 
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124. BIRD GALLERY. 
Family XIX. Panuripx. Bearpep Tits. 
The sole representative of this family is the Bearded Tit or Bearded 
Reedling (Panurus biarmicus) (2249), which is still found as a resident 
in the Norfolk Broads and ranges across Europe to Central Asia. It 
was formerly more widely distributed over the southern counties of 
England, but the draining of the reedy-fens destroyed its breeding- 
grounds. Its affinities are somewhat doubtful, but its natural position 
appears to be near the Tits. The male is more handsomely marked 
than the female, which lacks the grey head and black moustache. The 
food consists of insects and mollusea, for which it searches among the 
reed-beds. The nest, made of dead flags, grass, &c. and lined with reed- 
flowers, is built among aquatic plants near the water. The eggs are 
white, streaked with wavy lines of brownish-black. 
Family XX. Coamaipa. Wren-Tits. 
Three American species of Chamea (2268), peculiar to the dried 
plains and bushy hill-sides of Oregon and California, are the repre- 
sentatives of this family. In their habits and general appearance they 
resemble the Wrens. 
Family XXI. Recuripa, Goipen-Crestep Wrens. 
About a dozen species of tiny birds inhabiting the northern parts of 
the Old and New Worlds comprise this family, which is intermediate 
between the Titmice and Warblers. The Common Gold-crest (Regulus 
cristatus) (2269), a resident British species and the smallest of our native 
birds, ranges across Europe and Northern Asia. Its cup-shaped nest of 
moss and feathers is suspended below the end of a branch and may contain 
as many as twelve tiny white eggs suffused with yellowish-brown. The 
Fire-crest (R. ignicapilius) (2270) is an irregular visitor to our shores. 
A yery handsome species is the North American Ruby-crest (R. calen- 
dula) (2272), which differs from the other species in having a red 
crest. 
Family XXII. Sirripx. Nurnarcues. 
The Nuthatches, of which our common species Sitta cesia (2274) is 
typical, are closely allied to the Titmice, but may be distinguished by 
their strong, elongate, wedge-shaped bill. They have the general 
appearance of small Woodpeckers and climb trees with almost the same 
facility, but unlike these birds they have a short, square tail composed 
of soft-plumaged feathers. The well-timbered districts and forests of 
