FOR CAGES AND A VIARIES. 209 



often are, from before dawn until after dusk. He is 

 capable of learning to repeat a tune, but has less talent 

 in this direction than his near relation the Blackbird. 



The Water Thrush. See Dipper. 



THE TIERCEL OR TIRCELET. See under Hawks. 



THE TITS. 



The Bearded Tit. 



Properly speaking, this bird is not a Tit, but should be 

 placed midway between the Warblers and the Wrens, and 

 by "Warblers" is meant such birds as the Chiff-chaff, the 

 Wood and Willow Wrens, etc. It is a very pretty and 

 interesting bird, but is, unfortunately, extinct as a native 

 of this country, although once occurring in some parts in 

 considerable numbers. 



The Bearded Titmouse measures 6^ inches in length, 

 of which the tail takes up 2f inches. The bill, which 

 is not more than four lines long, is of a yellowish-orange 

 colour and has a number of long, black hairs, starting 

 from its base; the lores are black and the mark is pro- 

 longed to about midway down the side of the face, where 

 it terminates in a point, simulating a moustache, whence 

 the trivial name "bearded." 



In the female the distinctive moustache is less apparent 

 than in the male, otherwise, the sexes are much alike in 

 outward appearance. 



It frequents localities where reeds and bulrushes abound, 

 and ( there it builds itself a domed nest, composed of the 

 leaves of the plants among which it is situated, lining it 

 with the down, or pappus, of the same. 



In the house it may be kept in aviary or cage, but if 

 in the latter, it should be as large as possible and fur- 

 nished with a pot planted with sedge or other aquatic 



