190 
PARID.f:. 
localities frequented by tins species, as Avell as upon tlie seeds 
of the reed and other water-plants. 
The nest of the Bearded Titmouse resembles very much 
those of the reed and sedge warbler, and the situation chosen 
often accords with that of the latter bird, a circumstance 
Avhich probably causes it to be frequently overlooked, 
unless when distinguished by the eggs. They are usually 
found in the thickest part of the reeds, and are said by some 
authors to be suspended between their stems, at the elevation 
of several feet from the ground ; Avhile others, perhaps with 
more probability, describe them as sustained very little above 
the surface of the ground by means of the stalks of grass and 
broken reeds, among Avhich they are fastened. In form the 
nest is cup-shaped and rather deep, composed of coarse grasses, 
and withered leaves of reeds, thickly and warmly lined with 
the flowering tops of the latter, intermixed with willow down. 
The eggs are also variously described. All authors agree in 
the ground colour being white, but in the colour and form of 
the markings, their several descriptions differ widely. Mr. 
Yarrell speaks of them as “ sparingly marked with pale red 
lines and scratches.” Mr. Hoy says, they are “ sprinkled all 
■over Avith small purplish-red spots, intermixed with a 
few small faint lines and markings of the same colour.” 
While Temminck says, they are reddish, with broAvn spots, 
which are most numerous on the larger end. We can our- 
selv^es add another variety to the list, having received, some 
years since, for the use of our quarto Avork, a specimen, from 
an ornithological friend in Suffolk, which was pure white, 
marked sparingly with fine black hair-like streaks, as repre¬ 
sented in the accompanying plate. 
The task of nidification commences in April; and the 
young birds are on the Aving in the following month. One, 
Avhich Avas procured by Montagu, in June, had its nestling 
feathers much the colour of those of the female, although of a 
looser texture, as in all young birds. 
