o 
pair of Titmice could only obtain access through a small hole in the woodwork above. Through 
this opening, however, the enormous amount of materials found must have been introduced bit 
by bit, until the entire space between the shelf and the top of the cupboard, leaving only just 
room enough for the hen bird to sit, was filled with a compact mass of twigs, moss, bents, 
feathers, rabbits’ down, horsehair, wool, and even flowering grasses. Moss formed, of course, the 
chief substance employed; yet so wonderfully had the whole fabric been woven together that, 
when taken from the shelf upon which it was erected, it retained the exact shape of the three- 
cornered cupboard, the sides being as firm and neat as a well kept grass edging levelled with a 
roller. The following dimensions of this remarkable structure will best give an idea of the skill 
and labour thus strangely devoted to it by its untiring architects. Length in front 15 inches, 
height 9 inches, depth from front to back, measured to the angle of the cupboard, 10 inches. 
In the centre of the upper part was a depression, in which the eggs were laid; and here, in spite of 
frequent intrusions from curious visitors, the hen bird being even handled on her nest, these little 
creatures reared five young ones and carried them off in safety. <A similar nest, commenced in 
the previous spring, was unfortunately destroyed; but since the successful completion of the one 
above mentioned no further attempt has been made to repeat so formidable a task.” 
The description and measurements, as well as the figures in the accompanying Plate, are 
taken from specimens in our collection, killed by Heer Sala, in the neighbourhood of Leyden, in 
October 1870. 
In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens :— 
E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 
a, 6, c. Near London (R. B.S.). d. ¢. Cookham, Feb. 15th, 1870 (J. Ford). e, f, g, h, 1,7, k. Near Leyden, 
Holland (Sala). J, m,n. Piedmont (Salvadori). o. Sardinia (Salvadori). p. Gibraltar (Irby). q. ¢. 
Macedon, Nov. 5th, 1869 (Kriiper). r. Crimea (Whitely). 
E Mus. Lord Litford. 
a, 6. Lilford, Oundle (Lilford). 
E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 
a. Durham (H.B.T.). 6, c, d. Palestine (H. B. T.). 
E Mus. Howard Saunders. 
a, 6. Seville, Dec. 1869 (H.S.). 
