THE HEAKDKD-TIT 



life, but ho allowed me to stand outside uiy shelter and expose plate 

 after plate, merely remonstrating occasionally, or putting out hit* 

 beard by way of protest. 



The earliest nest recorded is one which the Rev. M. C. H. Bird 

 found with three eggs on April 3, 190tt ; and the latest I have ever 

 -ffii \\;ix on September '{rd. containing nearly Hedged \oun^. T\\o 

 and xnmrtiiurv tlu-re linnuK may be reared in the season. 



In early spring, when the bearded-tit begins to contemplate 

 family cares, the reed-beds are golden as an August cornfield, and 

 the tall brown " pokers " look frayed and ragged. When the birds 

 alight on these their tawny plumage with its soft blending of I mil' and 

 brown, exactly harmonises with its surroundings; and even the 

 male's conspicuous grey head and black beard tone with the decayed 

 portions of vegetation surrounding their homes. They practically 

 spend their lives amongst the reed-beds : I have never seen one 

 perching on a bush or tree. 



They are most remarkable contortionists. Few birds can twist 

 their lithe bodies into such curious attitudes as the bearded-tit 

 especially the female is capable of doing ; in addition to which they 

 perform all kinds of feats amongst the reeds, one of which is par- 

 ticularly delightful Sometimes with one foot planted above the other 

 on a half-decayed stem that bends beneath its weight and sways 

 before the wind, the bird will slip right round the reed several times 

 in succession. When feeding the young it will grasp with either 

 foot reeds often several inches apart, and from that position bend 

 down to the level of the nest and feed the young. The female, when 

 slipping through the undergrowth, turns and twists in a remarkable 

 manner, in order to dive into the recesses of the nest or reach the 

 outermost one of her brood. 



The photographer's ears need to be as keen as his sight so 

 that he may catch the faintest sounds which herald a bird's approach. 

 This is pre-eminently the case with the bearded-tit, which can be 

 heard slipping through the herbage for some time before it actually 



VOL. ii. 2o 



