66 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



crest, and the eggs need to be carefully authenticated 

 before they are received as those of a distinct species. 



THE DALMATIAN GOLD-CHEST. Regulus modestus. 

 The manners of this species closely resemble those of the 

 Common Gold-crest, as far as they have been observed ; 

 and probably in its nidification the resemblance would still 

 continue ; but we have no authentic information to render 

 upon the subject. 



THE BLUE TITMOUSE. Parus caruleus. Three or four 

 species of Titmice are frequently met with, but none more so 

 than the present, which is not only numerous probably in 

 most localities, but generally distributed in Great Britain and 

 Ireland, where suitably wooded districts occur. The Tit- 

 mice feed chiefly on insects, with their eggs and larvse, and 

 Mr. Hewitson well remarks, that though we may follow the 

 present species in his search after insects, and " see the 

 buds of promise from our trees strewed behind him, he has 

 been destroying them to get at the lurking enemy within, 

 which, had it been permitted to live till the following spring, 

 would have wrought us tenfold evil/' This little bird is most 

 surprisingly attached to its nest and eggs ; and indeed its 

 local attachment is very strong, for it reluctantly quits the 

 spot from whence its nest has been taken. Holes in trees and 



