70 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. VIII. 



rotten willow-post in a fence. It then contained one egg. 

 On May 3rd the nest contained nine eggs, and the bird \A'as 

 sitting. There were chips of wood on the ground, as well 

 as in the nest, but the majority must have been carried 

 away by the bird ; the post contained also two broken-down 

 nest-cavities of previous years. I sent one of the birds to 



NESTING-HOLE OF WILLOW-TIT IN A POLE IN A HOP-GAEDEN 

 IN KENT. 



Mr. Witherby, \\ho very kindly confirmed my identification. 

 The male took no part in incubation, but fed the hen 

 on the nest ; occasionally she left the nest at his call and 

 was fed on a branch, returning to her duties immediately. 

 I have noticed this also in the case of the Marsh-Tit. The 

 food given proved to be small buds, which he searched for 

 in the higher foliage of the willo\\- -trees. The nest, which 

 weighed as much as tA\o sixpenny-pieces, contained no moss 



