62 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
CRESTED TIT. 
LopHopHanes cristatus, Linn. 
Pl. X., fig. 25. 
Geogr. distr.—Found from the Mediterranean into Northern 
Scandinavia and through Europe from the extreme west, probably 
as far east as the Ural Mountains ; in Great Britain it is chiefly con- 
fined to Scotland and the north of England, though occasionally found 
in the south and in Ireland. 
Food.—Spiders, insects, seeds, and berries. 
Nest.—A loosely-built structure of green moss lined with wool or 
fur of the mountain hare and feathers; sometimes more compact, 
formed like that of the Wren. 
Position of nest.—In deserted Squirrels’ or Crows’ nests, hollow 
pine and oak trees, rotten stems of firs from twelve to fourteen feet 
high, in mountain ash trees by the roadside, or in juniper bushes. 
Number of eggs.—4-6; usually 5. 
Time of nidification.—IV-V. 
This species frequents dense and old growths of pine and 
fir forest, being resident in a few of the oldest forests of 
Scotland in the counties of Ross, Inverness, Perth, Elgin, 
Banff, and possibly Aberdeen. 
The nest, when placed in bushes, is stated to be formed 
like that of a Wren with a hole at the side. 
The note of the Crested Tit is described as somewhat 
resembling that of the Coal Tit, but with a peculiar shake 
at the finish. 
