PERCHING BIRDS. 87 



P. biarmicus have been seen in our district. The 

 "bottle tit," as it is most commonly called with us, is 

 very plentiful in our woods and plantations, particularly 

 in those where there is a growth of underwood, in which 

 it delights to place its nest. I have found it especially 

 abundant in a large wood called the Catwins, on the 

 outskirts of Thoresby Park. I have never met with a 

 nest at a greater height from the ground than about 

 four or five feet, nor is it at all particular as to conceal- 

 ment. I have most commonly found it placed in the 

 fork of a young hawthorn, and on two occasions, where 

 the fork consisted of three stout twigs, they were all 

 included in the body of the nest, the moss and wool 

 being so closely and firmly fitted around them that it 

 was utterly impossible to detach the nest from its sup- 

 ports without completely pulling it to pieces. One of 

 these especially excited my admiration, for the three 

 branches, springing upwards equidistant from each 

 other, were equally included in the structure they sup- 

 ported, which was woven of green moss intermingled 

 with wool, and decked outside with grey lichens, the 

 whole presenting a beautifully symmetrical appearance. 

 The opening was near the top, and, as is usual, the 

 interior was almost filled with feathers. 



It has often been a wonder to me how the parent 

 bird manages amongst such a mass of down to find all 

 her numerous and tiny young ones. The opening to 

 the nest is so small that when the bird enters, the in- 

 terior must be almost in perfect darkness, and the marvel 

 is that some of the gaping mouths below are not left un- 

 supplied with food. But in this, as in all of our Maker's 

 works, the means are perfectly adapted to the end, and 

 if in any case we are unable to comprehend how this 



