BEARDED TIT. 383 
by running, or rather by dropping. The movement is rapid 
down the stem to the bottom, where they creep and flit, 
perfectly concealed from view by the closeness of the covert, 
and the resembling tints of their plumage.” Mr. Hoy says, 
*‘the borders of the large pieces of fresh water in Norfolk 
called broads, particularly Hickling and Horsey Broads, 
are the favourite places of resort of this bird; indeed it is 
to be met with in that neighbourhood wherever there are 
reeds in any quantity, with fenny land adjoining. During 
the autumn and winter they are found dispersed, generally in 
sinall parties, throughout the whole length of the Suffolk 
coast, wherever there are large tracts of reeds. I have found 
them numerous in the breeding season on the skirts of 
Whittlesea, near Huntingdonshire; and they are not un- 
common in the fenny district of Lincolnshire; whether 
they are to be met with farther north I have had no means 
of ascertaining ; but they do not appear to have been 
noticed north of the Humber. It begins building towards 
the end of April. The nest is composed on the outside 
with the dead leaves of the reed and sedge, intermixed with 
a few pieces of grass, and lined with the top of the reed. 
It is generally placed in a tuft of coarse grass or rushes 
2 Sy 
= <= aA 
Wa 
wy 
\ 
\ 
