THE BEARDED-TIT 



broods are fed largely on delicate ethereal-looking insect*, Much 

 as tin May -fly and scorpion - fly. Caterpillars ltO fonn part of 

 their diet; if an unusually large juicy one is brought, it is thrust 

 down the throat of one eager applicant, where it innMJM as in a 

 vice, and is then divided amongst the brood. There is an abundant 

 food supply among the reed-beds, and the parents need seldom go 

 tar afield on t'or.i^in-: expeditions. Therefore it is no unusual thinu 

 to find several pairs of bearded-tits nesting in a small area, as the 

 struggle for existence is reduced to a minimum ; in fact, except at 

 pairing-time, this species is decidedly peaceable and sociable. 



The call-note, louder and sharper in the male, is usually repre- 

 sented by two syllables, "ping-ping," which, though expressive, is 

 yet wholly inadequate to describe this vibrating sound, which is like 

 the "singing" of a bullet, or a pizzicato note on the violin. Once 

 heard, it cannot be confused with any other bird-call, though several 

 species imitate it notably the reed-warbler. One of the latter 

 birds, which sang continuously by my house-boat during 1909-10, 

 frequently began his song with this "ping-ping," so that I was at 

 times deceived and would look up expecting to see a bearded-tit 

 fly past 



When anxious they have a scolding note, "p'whiti" which is often 

 uttered as the old birds slip down a reed-stem to feed the young. 

 This note is more easily represented by drawing a finger lightly across 

 all four strings of a violin. The bearded-tit's notes are very limited, 

 but intensely resonant, and from their rarity never fail to thrill the 

 heart of the bird-lover ; for it is always worth his while to watch this 

 delightful species, no matter upon what other business he may be 

 intent They have no proper song, but during the breeding-season, in 

 common with many other birds, their voices are capable of a variety 

 of modulations, equivalent to our " baby-language." The note of the 

 young resembles the adult bird's alarm note, but lacks the clicking 

 sound which precedes the " whut." 



One calm evening early in May, when there was no whisper of 



