THE BEARDED TITS NEST 225 



served the purpose of a support. The nest was 

 not fastened to the reeds in any way, but was 

 simply built in a hollow in the clump, relying on 

 the surrounding stems for support. 



A curious thing in connection with the occu- 

 pants was that they were both " bob-tailed." At 

 first we thought that the hen alone lacked a tail, 

 but after watching for some ti'me it was found that 

 each had its tail missing. Both birds were very 

 cautious while returning to their quarters ; they 

 would enter the reeds some little distance off, pass 

 from reed to reed until quite close to the nest, 

 then keep in the thickest parts while creeping, 

 mouse-like, on to the eggs. The cock did a fair 

 amount of sitting ; the hen remained hard by, and 

 would repeatedly mount a tall reed, and sound her 

 characteristic note chiang, which is musical, and 

 much resembles the tone of a mandoline-string. 



There was a Swan's old nest near the Bearded 

 Tit's, which made an excellent place for a photo- 

 grapher to sit with his camera ; but owing to the 

 denseness of the reeds just round about there, 

 very few successful pictures could be obtained. A 

 better place to hide with a camera was in the large 

 clump of reeds in which the nest was placed, 

 although it was nothing like so comfortable as the 

 Swan's nest ; for although a seat could be formed 

 16 



