292 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
have high and thick covert which would be an asylum that would 
defy the dealers, and where many a nest would escape detection. 
Reeds are worth £6 a load, but the expenses of cutting them are 
considerable, and there is much less thatching now in Norfolk 
with reeds than used formerly to be the case. 
Since the drainage of Salthouse Broad the Bearded Tit has 
ceased to nest anywhere on the Norfolk coast, and it is possible 
that the examples obtained of recent years at Cley by Dr. Power, 
and at Burnham by Mr. Richford, and by others at Blakeney 
and Morston, were migrants which had crossed the German 
Ocean. Lord Leicester informs me that within his recollection 
they used to breed at Holkham, adjoining Burnham, but they have 
long ceased to do so. I am sure examples may still be met with 
occasionally by the coast if sought for, but there will never be 
sufficient numbers to compensate for the losses sustained on our 
inland waters. 
In regard to habits, I must confess that, notwithstanding a 
somewhat extensive acquaintance with this beautiful little bird, 
I am able to add but little to what has been already written 
about it. On looking over my entries of the dates of nesting I 
quite agree with the late Mr. Stevenson that this bird is an early 
breeder. I once saw young ones as big as their parents in the 
middle of June, and at the same time an incomplete clutch of 
fresh eggs, which makes me think they may sometimes breed 
three times in a season, the first clutch being generally hatched 
in April. But, to prevent misconception, I should observe that 
the dates referred to are dates of nests found, not taken, for 
I have never taken one myself, nor have I ever shot a bird. 
A more beautiful object than a male Bearded Tit clinging to a 
reed-stem it is difficult to imagine. Except in the vicinity of 
their nests they are decidedly shy; it is only then, as a rule, 
that they flit across open spaces, and sometimes unfortunately, 
in their anxiety for their eggs, they betray their whereabouts. 
They are very unsuspecting when they have young, going 
straight to the nest in the presence of spectators, but having 
instinct enough to approach by creeping instead of flying; and 
a similar habit has been observed in the Coal Titmouse. I have 
been surprised sometimes, when walking with Joshua Nudd, to 
notice how often he heard the note when neither of us could see 
the bird; long experience in looking for them had sharpened his 
