60 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
ENGLISH COAL (or COLE) TIT. 
Parus BRITANNICUS, Sharpe and Dresser. 
Pl. X., fig. 24. 
Geogr. distr.—So far as is at present known, confined to the 
British Isles, where it is not uncommon, breeding in every county as 
far as Sutherland. 
Food.—Insects, worms, seeds, berries, and fruits. 
Nest.—A thick structure composed of moss and fine grass, lined 
with hair and wool or rabbits’ fur, with occasionally a few feathers. 
Position of nest.—In a hole in a trunk or branch of a tree, or 
occasionally in the ground in woods throughout England and Wales ; 
in pine forests in Scotland. 
Number of eggs.—b-9. 
Time of nidification.—IV-V. 
Supposed to be more abundant in Great Britain than 
formerly, and said to be undoubtedly so in winter. I have 
received the nest of this species from Kent as late as the 
beginning of June, containing a single egg only; it was 
taken out of a decayed fruit tree, the heart of which it 
occupied, and was at no great distance from the ground. 
