THK TIT FAMILY. 65 



build. What was always a marvel to me as a boy, and has 

 remained a marvel ever since, was how such a tiny home it 

 could be taken into the inside of a baby's cap could possibly 

 accommodate the numerous brood which Mrs. Tit places in it, 

 for she is not content with fewer than from ten to fourteen. Yet 

 there they live and thrive, their parents being little less than 

 .slaves whilst they are being brought up todays of discretion. 

 Loving little things they are, keeping together all through 

 the year with never so much as a cross word that I have 

 ever heard. Tweet and twitter they ever keep up in their 

 daily hunts. This keeps them together and, for the rest, their 

 life seems too busy a one for quarrels. 



There are crested tits, which are attractive little things, 

 but they belong to a different genus. The yellow-cheeked 

 tit-mouse, however, should be mentioned. He is Asiatic, 

 and nicely marked with a black head, crest and long bib, 

 whilst his cheeks and underparts are yellow, the back being 

 marked with black, white, grey, and olive green. 



