﻿TITMOUSE. 



diatc parts, —The moft curious circumftance of thefe birds is 

 their neft ; than which nothing can be more lingular. It is of 

 a roundifh fhape, not much unlike that of the Long-tailed 

 Titmoufe, but compofed of ftill finer materials. 



The bird frequents watery places, for the fake of aquatic in- 

 fects, on which it feeds : and makes ufe of the down of the 

 Willow and Poplar, as well as that of the Thiftle, and fuch-like ; 

 thefe it entwines with its bill into a clofe body, ftrengthening 

 the fabric without with the fmall fibres and roots of plants; and 

 lining the whole within with fome of the loofe foft down above- 

 mentioned. This neft is hung at the extreme end of fome weak 

 branch which projects over the water, and is wholly covered, ex~ 

 cept a hole left for entrance, which is placed on one fide, gene- 

 rally that which is oppofite the water. By this cautious inftinct 

 it fears neither quadruped nor reptile ; for neither can venture to 

 it from above, nor attack it beneath. 



The. female lays four or five eggs, white as fnow, and almoft 

 tranfparent ; and generally has two broods in a year, the firft in 

 April or May, the fecond in Auguft. 



Thefe nefts may be feen frequently in the marines about 

 Bologna, and other places. The peafants who inhabit thofe 

 parts make great account both of the birds and their nefts ; 

 hanging one of the laft near the door of their hut. And as to 

 the bird itfelf, they account it very little lefs than facred; be- 

 holding it with that fuperftitious veneration which is fo com- 

 monly the effect of unenlightened minds. 



La 



