178 
PARID-E. 
circumstances, tliey appear to be hurrying on, as if on their 
passage to a distant part, passing hastily from bush to bush. In 
the summer they are found only in forests of large extent, 
Avhither they constantly resort to breed. Their haunts are 
chiefly the very tops of the tallest and oldest fir-trees ; besides 
which they are occasionally seen in juniper trees or bushes, to 
which they are very partial. 
In habits the Crested Titmice resemble others of their 
tribe, being always in motion from branch to branch, and are 
lively and quarrelsome, although preferring society. They 
are seldom seen alone, but associate in flocks, and frequently 
with other small birds of their kind. When seen among 
their native forests these birds do not appear shy ; but when 
passing along in their migratory courses they are huming and 
restless. 
The Crested Titmouse has not hitherto been ascertained to 
inhabit any part of England, although it is not uncommon 
in several of the forests and fir-covered districts of Scotland, 
from whence specimens are frequently obtained: in that 
country it has been seen as far south as the neighbour¬ 
hood of GlasgoAv, where it is knowm to breed. 
The call-note of this species is the same as that of the 
other Titmice; to wdiich is usually added the sound ghirrr! 
or ghirrr-kee ! This call is loudest in the pairing season. 
When any of these birds are caught, and it is designed to 
keep them in confinement, they ought to be placed several 
together in a cage, as they are fond of company. 
The food of this bird consists in summer of insects, and 
their eggs and larvae, in preference to seeds; but in autumn, 
winter, and spring, they consume also the seeds of pine trees, 
and other trees of the fir tribe, which they j^ick from the 
cones or take from the ground, where they obtain also many 
an insect cot that lies concealed among the moss. When 
caged, mountain ash and juniper berries, as well as hempseed, 
