98 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



of this can was so small that it only just admitted 

 the bird, and it was impossible to withdraw the 

 nest except by pulling it to pieces. Many in- 

 stances have been recorded of Blue Tits nesting 

 in a pump, which they could only enter through 

 the spout. 



The character and materials of the nest, and the 

 size and colour of the eggs are very similar to what 

 we have already described in the case of two of its 

 congeners ; the chief difference in its nidification 

 being that, like the Long-tailed Tit, it generally 

 uses a quantity of feathers. If undisturbed one 

 year in its nesting-place, it will return the following, 

 and even succeeding years to the same spot ; thus 

 manifesting a confidence in the protection of man 

 which it would be heartless to destroy. 



