

THE CRESTED TITMOUSE. 117 



firs standing alone at a more sheltered part of the 

 hillside. Whether they had received a signal from 

 one of their number who had been sent out to 

 explore, or whether they preferred the comparative 

 shelter of their new position, it is impossible to say ; 

 but at any rate it was evident that they had now 

 found an abundant supply of food, for not only did 

 they confine themselves to one single tree, but they 

 also appeared to be directing their attention almost 

 exclusively to the extremities of the smaller branches, 

 to which they might frequently be seen hanging 

 back downwards, at the same time making vigorous 

 use of their bills. In this manner they were still 

 continuing to employ themselves when I left the 

 spot about half an hour later, after having repeatedly, 

 but in vain, endeavoured to ascertain the nature of 

 their food, by examining such of the small branches 

 as could be obtained. Although I broke these 

 from the same tree, by means of a long stick, the 

 birds were so little alarmed as merely to fly to the 

 opposite side of the tree (which, however, was one 

 of considerable spread), and there remain curiously 

 eyeing me until the interruption ceased. Several 

 hundred yards from this spot I saw two more birds 



