28 BIRD GALLERY. 



No. 75. GREAT TITMOUSE. (Parus major.) 



The post-box exhibited in this case stood in the road at the village 

 of Rowfant, Sussex, and letters, etc., were posted in it daily and cleared 

 by the door. In the year 1888 a pair of " Ox-eyes " began to build 

 their nest in it, but one of the birds was killed before the nest had been 

 finished. 



In 1889 a pair completed the nest, laid seven eggs, and began to 

 sit ; but, one day, when an unusual number of post-cards nearly filled 

 the box, the birds deserted, and the nest and eggs were subsequently 

 removed [Nest No. 1]. 



In 1890 a pair built a new nest, laid seven eggs, and reared a brood 

 of five young. Although letters were posted daily, and often found 

 lying on the back of the sitting bird, it never left the nest when the 

 box was cleared. This nest [No. 2] is exhibited in its original position 

 in the post-box, with one of the unhatched eggs. 



When the box was removed to the British Museum, in the autumn 

 of 1890, an exactly similar one was put up in its place. The birds took 

 possession of this in the following spring, and, with the exception of 

 1894, continued to build there annually for some years. The other 

 nest exhibited [No. 3] was commenced on the 26th of April, 1896, 

 and the brood of twelve young birds reared in it flew on the 10th of 

 June. 



The birds entered and left the nest by the slit for the letters, which 

 were posted daily in the box. 



Presented by Mrs. Locker •-Lampson. 



No. 76. GREEN WOODPECKER. (Gecinus viridis.) 



The largest of our British Woodpeckers, generally known as the 

 " Yaffle/' is met with in most of the wooded districts of England and 

 Wales, but is almost unknown in Scotland and Ireland. Though 

 much of its insect-food is captured on the tree-stems, it may frequently 

 be seen feeding on the ground, and is especially partial to ants and 

 their pupae. Early in April the birds chisel out a circular hole in the 

 trunk or branch of a tree, which is generally decayed, and excavate a 

 nesting-chamber in the heart of the stem. The eggs are glossy white 

 and are from five to seven in number. 



Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.St 



