236 THE BEARDED-TIT 



females together. The behaviour of my captives, when roosting, 

 confirms this statement. 



As spring approaches, the flocks disintegrate, and the males 

 fight furiously. When courting the female, the cock erects his grey head- 

 feathers, and puffs out the long black beard in a way that is obviously 

 quite irresistible. The long tail is held erect, so that the jet black 

 under-coverts are brought into prominence. The female will occasion- 

 ally execute the curious dance already mentioned, which resembles a 

 minuet in its slow stateliness, while both at intervals fluff themselves 

 out. Before settling down to family cares, a kind of nuptial flight is 

 taken. This is beautiful to watch, and surprising to one who has 

 hitherto only seen these birds flitting somewhat clumsily from cover 

 to cover. Both leave the sheltering reed-beds, and with clear call- 

 note, rise gradually into the air. There is no undue haste when once 

 the couple begin to soar. With outstretched wings and quivering tail 

 they float upwards : sometimes the male will be uppermost, sometimes 

 the female, so they rise alternately, until both are mere specks in the 

 blue. Then suddenly they drop like stones into the reeds. 



So once more the cycle of their little lives is set in motion, until as 

 the year waxes and wanes 



" They in their brief life have fulfilled, 

 All Nature in them will'd." 



