THE BEARDED REEDLING. 143 



being formed of loosely interlaced dead leaves of sedges, reeds, and broad-grasses : 

 the lining consisting entirely of the feathery top of the reed. 



The Kentish nest, placed upon a small floating island of reeds, in a large 

 pond at Kemsley (where "Reed- Pheasants" were formerly common) was perfect; but 

 probably abandoned, for it contained no eggs : doubtless the young had flown, 

 inasmuch as it was late in May ; and, according to Mr. Stevenson, the full clutch 

 of eggs is frequently deposited by the yth or 8th April. The Norfolk nests had 

 an unfinished appearance, and also contained no eggs, possibly they may have 

 been plundered by the " lookers," or by marshmen. I could hardly have been 

 too early (as I formerly supposed) to find eggs of this species, for again it was 

 in May. 



The Bearded Reedling lays from four to seven eggs of a sordid or brownish- 

 white colour, with a few dots, dashes, and thread-like lines of dark-brown : they 

 are distinctly Bunting-like in character : as is the deep nest in which they are 

 deposited. 



This species is extremely hardy ; and, like the tiny Waxbills of India, is 

 capable of withstanding the severest cold of our winters ; as Stevenson observes : 

 " Delicate as these little creatures appear, I have found them during the sharpest 

 frosts, when the snipe had left the half- frozen waters for upland springs and 

 drains, still busy amongst the reed-stems as lively and musical as ever." It is 

 therefore not surprising that it is a resident species. 



According to Seebohm the song " is said to be only a few simple notes, 

 something like those of the Blue Tit. The call-note appeared to be a musical 

 ping, ping, something like the twang of a banjo. The alarm-note is said to be a 

 chir-r-rr, something like the scold of a Whitethroat. The cry of distress is described 

 as a plaintive ce-ar, ce-ar." 



As cage-birds Bearded Reedlings are altogether charming ; and, of late years, 

 the admirers of the so-called " Reed- Pheasant " or "Bearded Tit," have greatly 

 increased in numbers. Lord Lilford says : " The chief food of this species appears 

 to be the seed of reed, but in captivity I have found them most omnivorous, and 

 ants' eggs were very favourite morsels with them, as they are with almost every 

 cage-bird with which I have any acquaintance. My living specimens of this species 

 were purchased in London, and were said to have been sent thither from the 

 Netherlands ; they became very tame, and are very engaging pets, in motion the 

 whole day long, often hanging head downwards from the top of their cage, and 

 crowding together closely at dusk on the same perch." 



Formerly this species was rarely if ever exhibited, but now it is present at 

 most of our bird-shows, examples probably imported from Holland being even 



