186 BIRDS' NESTS 



those employed by the Honey-eaters. The nest of 

 Dicaeum minimum (a widely distributed bird in Ceylon) 

 is described by Mr F. Lewis as being cup-shaped and 

 built in the angle of two forking twigs. The nests of 

 the typical Titmice (Parid^e) have mostly been dealt 

 with already {conf. p. 121), but those of some of the 

 more specialised forms {Acredula, jEgithalus) must 

 be reserved for later chapters {co7if. pp. 225, 255). 

 The nests of the delicate little Goldcrests (Regulinae) 

 must, however, be described here. These nests also 

 belong to the Oriole and White-eye class, being slung 

 like hammocks or purses between forking twigs at 

 the extremities of branches, usually of some non- 

 deciduous tree. That of our own Goldcrest (Regulus 

 cristatns) is chiefly composed of moss and lichens; 

 these and the surrounding foliage being deftly inter- 

 woven with the aid of spiders' webs and hairs, and 

 lined with hair and feathers. The nest of another 

 and perhaps still more aberrant member of the 

 Parid^ must also be noticed. This is the home of the 

 single known species of Bearded Titmouse (Panuriis 

 biarmicns). The Bearded Tit is an inhabitant of reed 

 beds, and builds its nest amongst the vegetation of its 

 marshy home, selecting as a site some tuft of sedge or 

 aquatic herbage where the overhanging stems offer it 

 concealment. This nest is made of dry marsh grass, 

 bits of reed, dead leaves and other scraps of vegeta- 

 tion, lined with finer grass and the flowers of reeds and 

 rushes. Although loosely woven, it is neatly finished. 



