164 TITMICE. 



while others prefer the depths of the most retired 

 forests. One of our native species, however, the 

 aquatic type, prefers the vicinity of water and 

 the shelter of reedbrakes. They are every where 

 favourites with the ornithologist, who studies 

 them in their natural haunts, amusing him by 

 their active and restless motions, or instructing 

 him by the ingenuity they display in selecting 

 a breeding place, or in procuring their food. 

 Insects are their proper and most ordinary nour- 

 ishment, and their search after them, or their 

 eggs and larvae, is incessant, climbing and hang- 

 ing, in every imaginable attitude, among the 

 moss-covered branches of trees, seeking for them 

 among their roots, or on the ground, and care- 

 fully inspecting the crevices of rocks, clothed 

 with our natural creepers. In addition to this 

 supply, they can also resort to seeds and kernels, 

 and in winter the barnyard is not an uncommon 

 locality for one or two species ; carrion also is 

 sometimes resorted to, and if kept in confinement 

 a little fresh meat will be found to keep them in 

 good and healthy condition. The aquatic species 

 find an ample support, and, no doubt, a good 

 substitute for insects, in the aquatic molusca, 

 which creep upon, and are abundant among reeds 

 or fenny districts. They breed in the holes of 

 trees, banks, old walls, &c. and sometimes in 

 pituations of much publicity, where there is a 

 constant thoroughfare, and even much noise and 

 working near. The hole is sometimes excavated 

 or enlarged by the labours of the bird, and is 



