305 



THE CEESTED TITMOUSE. 



The number of eggs which this little bird lays is really surprising. Very seldom does it 

 content itself with eight, and double that number has been frequently counted in a 

 single nest. In consequence, the young birds are packed like so many herrings in a 

 barrel, and the ingenuity which must be exerted by the parent birds in giving each little 

 one its food in proper rotation must be very great indeed. When they have attained to 

 nearly tlieir full growth, and before they venture out of their home, the nest presents a very 

 curious aspect externally, as its sides heave with the movements of the young birds, and 

 it seems as if it were actually breathing. More especially is this the case when the young 

 require fresh air, for they instinctively stretch their legs and necks as far as they can, and 

 by so doing cause the whole nest to expand, and thus to take in a fresh supply of air. 

 When they have produced the desired effect, they subside to their former position, and the 

 nest contracts by the elasticity of its walls ; this curious movement will often take place 

 eight or ten times in an hour. 



The colouring of this species is as follows : The upper part of the head, the cheeks, 

 tlie throat, and the whole of the under surface are greyish white, warming into a rosy hue 



upon the sides, flanks, and under 



c 



CRESTED TITMOUSE.— Parw cristdtus. 



tail-coverts. A broad stripe of 

 deep black passes over the eye 

 and ear-coverts, and joins a large 

 triangular patch of the same jetty 

 hue, which extends from the 

 shoulders as far as the upper tail- 

 coverts. The shoulders, the scapu- 

 laries, and the lower part of the 

 back are washed with a decided 

 tinge of a ruddy hue. The wings 

 are mostly black, with the ex- 

 ception of the tertiary quill- 

 feathers, which are edged with 

 ^vhite. The long central feathers 

 of the tail are black, and the re- 

 mainder are black on the inner 

 webs and white on the outer. 

 Tliey are regularly graduated in 

 length, each pair being about 

 half an inch shorter than the 

 preceding pair. Both sexes are 

 similar in their colouring. The 

 total length of the bird is about 

 five inches and a half 



In personal appearance the Ceested Titmouse is the most conspicuous of the British 

 species, on accoujit of the peculiarity from which it derives its name. 



It is a very rare bird in England, but when it does happen to make its appearance, is 

 generally seen in little troops. On several parts of the Continent it is plentifully found, 

 especially frequenting Denmark, Sweden, Eussia, Switzerland, and Germany. When it 

 comes over to the British shores, it seems to prefer the pine forests of Scotland to any other 

 locality. It generally builds its nest in the hole of some decaying tree, the oak appearing 

 to be the most favoured. In one singular instance noticed by Sir W. Jardine, the 

 nest was almost wholly lined with the cast exuviae of snakes. The eggs are about 

 eight or ten in number, and their colour is generally white, spotted with a few light 

 red specks. 



Tlie colouring of this bird is mostly black and white, disposed in a manner which 

 can readily be comprehended by examining the accompanying illustration. The feathers of 

 the crest are black at the base and edged with a rather broad band of white ; the back and 

 wings are soft brown the under surface of the chest and abdomen is very pale fawn, 



