530 



The Living Animals of the World 



Fhoto hy J. T. Newman] 



JIARSH-TIT SEAECniXG FOR IN'SECTo. 



[Berlchauistcd. 



The marsh-tifc may be distiD^ished from its ally, the cnal-tit, by the absence of white 

 on the nape of the neek. 



Whether the Reedlings, or 

 Bearded Tits, as they are generally 

 called, are really true titmice or 

 peculiarly modified buntings is a 

 moot-point. There is but one species, 

 which is British, though found also 

 on the Continent ; but it is un- 

 fortunately becoming more and more 

 rare every year. The general colour 

 of the upper-parts is cinnamon- 

 rufous, except the head, which is 

 pearly grey : between the bill and 

 the eyes hangs a tuft of long black 

 feathers ; hence the name Bearded 

 Tit. The under-parts are white, 

 tinged with yellow and pink, whilst 

 the wings are variegated with white, 

 black, and red. This tit lives in beds 

 of reeds fringing the "broads" of the 

 eastern counties of England, though 

 even there it is now- exceedingly rare. 

 The same uncertainty that obtains 

 with regard to the position of the 

 Reedlings confronts the ornithologist 

 with regard to the aflinities of the 

 liliputian Gold-crests. About six 

 species are known, from the northern and temperate parts of the Old and New Worlds, extending 

 as far south in the latter as ^Mexico. Two occur in Britain : one, known simply as the GoLD- 

 CREST, or Golden-crested Wkex, is fairly common; the other, the Fire-crest, or Fire-crested 

 Wren, is much rarer, but differs very little from its relati\'e in general appearance. 



The Gold-crest is olive-green above, yellowish grey below, with a conspicuous crest of 

 bright yellow and orange, banded on each side by two black lines. It has the distinction 

 of being the smallest British bird ; and it is partly on account of its smallness, and partly 

 owing to its shy, retiring habits, seeking concealment among the foliage, that it is so seldom 

 seen, save by those wdio know where to look for it ; and these may find it all the year round 

 in suitable places. 



In the spring this bird may be observed suspended in the air for a considerable time over 

 a bush or flower, singing very melodiously, though few naturalists have ever witnessed this 

 display. Mr. W. H. Hudson, one of these few, writes: "I have observed the male, in the love- 

 season, hovering just above the bush, in the topmost foliage of which its mate was perched 

 and partly hidden from view. It is when engaged in this pretty aerial performance, or love- 

 dance, that the golden-crested wren is seen at his best. The restless, minute, sober-coloured 

 creature, so difficult to see properly at other times, then becomes a conspicuous and exceedingly 

 beautiful object; it hovers on rapidly vibrating wings, the body in an almost vertical position, 

 but the head bent sharply down, the eyes being fixed on the bird beneath, while the wide-open 

 crest shines in the sun like a crown or shield of fiery yellow. When thus hovering, it does 

 not sing, but emits a series of sharp, excited chirping sounds.'' 



The nest is a singularly beautiful structure, made of fine, dry grass, leaves, moss, and 

 sj)iders' webs, woven closely together, lined with feathers, and suspended like a hammock 

 beneath a branch of yew or fir. In this are laid from six to ten eggs of a pale jrellowish 

 white, spotted and blotched with reddish brown. 



The numbers of British gold-crests are vastly increased by the arrival on the eastern 



