THE CAPE TITMOUSE. 291 



Another variety Description. 



Besides the varieties already mentioned, there 

 is the marsh titmouse, with the whole crown of 

 the head, and part of the neck behind of a deep 

 hlack. It is somewhat short of five inches, and 

 is said to be fond of wasps, bees, and other in- 

 sects: it lays up a little store of seeds against a 

 season of want, and frequents marshy places, 

 from whence it derives its name. 



THE CAPE TITMOUSE. 



OF this bird we shall only remark, that its 

 luxurious nest, which is constructed of the down 

 of a species of Asclepias, is made of the texture 

 of flannel, and equals the fleecy hosiery in soft- 

 ness. Near the upper part projects a small tube, 

 about an inch in length, with an orifice, about 

 three-fourths of an inch in diameter. Immedi- 

 ately under the tube is a small hole in the side 

 that has no communication with the interior of 

 the nest; in this hole the male sits at nights, and 

 thus both male and female are secured from the 

 weather. 



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