484 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



spotted and speckled over the whole surface with brownish red, others with 

 the markings in a confluent zone round the end. In some specimens this 

 band is increased into an irregular patch, which almost conceals the ground- 

 colour of the large end of the egg ; whilst in others the spots are very rich 

 and bold, forming bands of colour round the egg. The colour of the spots 

 is also subject to variation; and usually those eggs which are evenly and 

 minutely marked have the spots darker red than those specimens in which 

 the markings are larger. Clutches are sometimes obtained in which the 

 spots are almost absent, or displayed on one of the eggs only ; but as a 

 rule the eggs of the Crested Tit are more richly and boldly spotted than 

 those of its allies. They measure from '7 to '6 inch in length, and from 

 55 to -47 inch in breadth. 



The food of the Crested Tit is composed of insects and small seeds of 

 various kinds ; and, like all its congeners, it is of great service in ridding 

 the twigs and buds of vast quantities of injurious pests. It is also said to 

 feed on juniper-berries. 



The Crested Tit has the general colour of the upper parts from below the 

 nape huffish brown, becoming dusky brown on the wings and tail ; the 

 feathers of the head are black, broadly margined with dull white, those 

 from the crown backwards considerably elongated and recurved, forming a 

 graceful crest ; from the base of the bill through the eye to the back of 

 the head, thence coming downwards to below the cheeks, is a black band ; 

 another band of the same colour, and separated from the foregoing by a 

 white band, crosses the head, neck, and, passing round the white ear- 

 coverts and cheeks, joins the black on the throat. The breast is dirty 

 white ; and the belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts are pale buffish brown. 

 Bill black; legs and feet lead-colour; irides brown. The female is 

 similar to the male in colour, but has the crest shorter and the black on 

 the throat less developed. Birds of the year resemble females. 



