22 



BEARDED TITMOUSE. (SUMMER). 

 Case 32. 



The drainage of marshes and reclaiming of 

 waste lands all over the country are banishing 

 scores of our native birds from the strongholds 

 they have held for ages. 



This handsome little bird, however, unlike 

 some of the larger species, is at present in no 

 danger of being entirely driven from our islands, as 

 the more extensive broads and meres in the eastern 

 counties offer them a safe retreat. The districts, 

 however, that are suited to their habits are fast 

 becoming much reduced ; several spots whore they 

 were formerly common in Kent and Sussex having 

 become completely changed by the new style of 

 farming and other innovations. 



The never-failing persecution they suffer from 

 dealers and collectors tends also to greatly restrict 

 their numbers, 



The price of four shillings a dozen, which is 

 offered for their eggs, induces the natives of those 

 dreary wastes to search diligently, and but few of the 

 first nests ever escape their sharp eyes. After the 

 reeds get up to a certain height, it is more difficult 

 to make out the whereabouts of the birds, and con- 

 sequently the later broods escape. No one but a 

 practised hand would ever discover the nests of this 

 species. 



There are, however, in the fen and broad 

 districts generally a class of men who make a 

 living by egging, gunning and fishing. This occupa- 

 tion seems to have been handed down from father 

 to son, but I am afraid that, like many of the rarer 

 denizens of the swamps, they will before long be 

 either driven from their quarters, or forced to adopt 

 a new style of life. 



The specimens in the case were obtained on 

 Heigham Sounds, in Norfolk, in May, 1870. 

 See " Bough Notes," Vol. I, Plate 23. . 



