CRESTED-TIT 211 



Some solution of the isolation and restricted dispersal of the 

 crested-tit in Britain has been attempted by Messrs. Harvie-Brown 

 and T. E. Buckley, on the assumption that the old Caledonian forests, 

 where this bird has always been a resident, were at one time " part of 

 a continuous tract which may have been inhabited by this species 

 before the separation from the Continent took place." 1 



Perhaps the limited breeding-range of the bearded-tit in England 

 m:iy also be accounted for on the same grounds, as these latter birds 

 are common enough in Holland, which is the nearest point to the 

 east eoart of Norfolk. 



It is probable, however, that crested-tits visit our English pine- 

 woods more frequently than is generally supposed, though these 

 will be stragglers from the Continent When we consider how very 

 slightly this bird differs in appearance and habits from other mem- 

 bers of the Tit Family, a great many of these wanderers must pass 

 unnoticed. Now that the number of " amateurs " -whoever may be 

 included in that somewhat ambiguous term is so largely on the 

 increase, it would be well if each one kept an eye open for chance 

 stragglers. If, however, the "amateur" carries a gun, let him refrain 

 from using it, so that others may enjoy the rare privilege of seeing one 

 of these little knights-errant 



It is some comfort to be told that " We have little fear of the 

 crested-tit becoming rare through man's direct agency, as the area they 

 cover (in Scotland) is an extensive one, and to find the nests requires 

 considerable search." Also that "At present the crested-tit is 

 believed to be again on the increase locally, and this may partly be 

 accounted for by the careful system of forestry, and the planting of 

 Scots fir which has been carried on for over one hundred years." 2 



But since these lines were penned, the modern egg-snatcher has 

 been endowed with a motor-car and much gold. Where the one 

 cannot penetrate, the other does; so that extra vigilance is needed 

 nowadays in order to protect this most interesting bird. For what 



1 Fauna of Moray, p. 250. * Ibid. pp. 258-0. 



VOL. II. 2 E 



