The Great Titmouse 



( Panes major ) LlNNiEUS. 



MALE, FEMALE, NEST, AND EGGS. 



NE often hears of these birds building in curious situations, such as a pump 

 in constant use, or a letter box, &c. 



In this instance the birds have selected a deserted beehive, a portion of 

 which has been cut away to show the nest with its nine eggs. It is a very 

 curious nest, inasmuch as it covers the whole floor of the hive, eleven inches in diameter. 

 The use of such an amount of material is not clearly seen, unless the birds were 

 wishful to carpet the whole of their spacious dwelling. Access was gained to the 

 hive through the hole used by the bees, which is opposite to the male bird 

 flying with a caterpillar in its mouth. 



Collected near Chester, and presented by Mk. S. J. R. Dickson. 



