PENDULINE TITMOUSE. 



67 



colour is continued under the eyes : upper part of 

 the back and scapulars rufous grey : lower parts 

 and rump grey : upper lesser wing-coverts brown, 

 with rufous tips : greater ones blackish, with ches- 

 nut edges, and pale rufous tips: quills brown, 

 with white margins : throat and front of the 

 neck pale ash-colour : rest of the under parts pale 

 rufous : tail similar to the quills : legs reddish 

 grey: claws blackish: length four inches and a 

 half. 



These birds are noted for the singularity of their 

 nests, which are wonderfully constructed for the 

 purpose of security against the attacks of quadru- 

 peds or reptiles, of the down of the willow, poplar 

 and thistle, which they twist into a close compact 

 body, and strengthen with fibres and roots of 

 plants, lining the whole with the fine materials : 

 it is generally suspended on the extreme end of 

 a w^eak branch that projects over some water; the 

 entrance is the only place that is left uncovered, 

 and is on one side, and generally on that which is 

 opposite the water : they are often seen in the 

 - marshes about Bologna : and the peasants that in- 

 habit the parts where they are abundant are very 

 superstitious in respect to bird and nest : indeed 

 the former is reckoned almost as a sacred animal, 

 in the same way that the Redbreast is in many 

 parts of England : the female generally lays four 

 or five eggs, white and almost transparent ; and 

 often has two broods in the year, about May and 

 August. It is found in Poland, Italy, and other 

 parts of Europe, and Siberia. 



