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THE CRESTED TITMOUSE. 

 (Parus cristdtus.) 



IN order to learn habits of the Crested Tit it is necessary 

 to climb high into the region of the firwoods. Here the 

 Crested Tit is the good genius of the neighbourhood, 

 for with untiring zeal it hops about among the thick 

 branches of the fir labyrinth and destroys the most mis- 

 chievous insects. Its call is "zidrrrr" or "zick giiirr." 

 It is not rare in the pine forests of Hungary. 



The Crested Tit breeds in a few of the oldest forests in 

 Scotland where firs and oaks remain. In Perthshire it 

 is seen, but to England it is a stranger, a few cases only, 

 being on record. In Ireland also it is practically un- 

 known. 



The Crested Titmouse is much smaller than the Great 

 Tit or Oxeye. It is easily recognised by its pointed 

 head, which resembles that of the Crested Lark. The 

 feathers of this are black, edged with white ; the cheeks 

 white ; throat and round the ears black ; so that the head 

 has the appearance of being framed. Wings and tail 

 greyish-brown, the feathers with whitish edges. Under- 

 neath it is a dingy white, rust colour at the sides. Its 

 nest is carefully built, in holes and in trees. It lays 

 from five to eight, sometimes ten, white eggs speckled 

 with light rust colour. Two broods are generally 

 brought out in the season. 



These birds are seen in Germany, and elsewhere on 

 the Continent, frequently in company with Golden- 

 crested Wrens, other Tits and also Tree-creepers. 



