126 Golden -Crested Wrens 



and in a portion of the top, and lined inside with 

 Virginian cork. 



In the centre, at the back, the cork was brought 

 out in a circular form, so as to form a hollow within, 

 and holes were bored for the birds to enter this snug 

 retreat. 



A small door at the back enabled one to peep in. 

 The cage was tenanted by four little tom-tits, whose 

 round heads, with their delicately-tinted caps of cobalt 

 blue, peeped out from the holes ; their bright beady 

 eyes looking inquiringly at one. 



The tiny and sharp black bill * of a tom-tit adds 

 considerably to his beauty and his perky expression. 

 I departed from the show with an intense longing 

 to possess that cage and its inmates, which desire 

 I expect I probably expressed quite honestly and 

 openly. 



My joy was great when, after the show had closed, 

 I found the cage on a table in my bedroom. 



Another time I kept a pair of the lovely little 

 bearded titmice, so different in many ways to other 

 members of a fascinating family ; if they really be- 

 long to it, which is doubtful. 



But in a cage they are too fidgety and restless, 

 giving one the idea that they are not happy, so I 

 didn't keep them. 



I have seen these birds hawked about the streets of 

 Milan in February. 



They are most lovely, and, if it were not for 

 indefatigable egg stealers, would be far more common 

 in England than they are. 



