144 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



pecking at the roots, for the purpose, no doubt, of 

 extracting maggots from the wart-like excrescences on 

 their surface. It has been remarked also by Messrs. 

 Sheppard and Whitear, that this species in winter 

 frequent, for the same purpose, the sheds in which 

 turnips are kept, and where they are sliced up for the 

 use of the cattle. Thus resident throughout the year, 

 the blue titmouse nests with us in all the quaint situa- 

 tions characteristic of its race, creeping mouselike into 

 the most absurdly small fissures in walls or trees, where 

 its numerous brood is reared with untiring labour, and 

 defended with a spirit which seems perfectly unawed by 

 disparity of size in its enemies. A pair that I watched 

 as a schoolboy with much interest, for two or three 

 seasons, frequented my father's garden in Surrey Street, 

 and nested in a small hole in an old wall where the mortar 

 had crumbled away from the stonework, the aper- 

 ture running backwards and downwards for several 

 inches. Into this little opening the old birds brought 

 the materials for nesting, consisting of minute twigs as 

 well as the softer lining, and when a larger piece of 

 wool than usual refused to be dragged or pushed into 

 the nest-hole, these tiny creatures would fly off with it to 

 a neighbouring apple tree, and there trim its dimensions 

 to a more convenient size. Here, in this snug retreat, 

 safe from cats or any other marauders, their little fami- 

 lies were brought up during two seasons, and loud was the 

 hiss that assailed any intrusive finger. The young once 

 hatched, the old birds were incessant in their search for 

 food, and once every minute, as I found by my watch, 

 one or other returned to their clamorous young. The 

 hole being at least ten feet from the ground, and no tree 

 near within four or five yards, I was particularly 

 anxious to see how the little fledgelings would leave 

 their home; but this I could never succeed in doing, 

 though I found them sitting on neighbouring trees 



