The Bearded Titmouse. 



365 



grow on reeds and rushes. In confinement, they should be fed 

 on mealworms, ants' eggs, maw seed, and crushed hemp. When 

 thoroughly domesticated, they will live on the same food as the 

 other varieties of the same species. 



Rearing the Young, — Secure them when ten or twelve days 

 old, and keep on a soft bed of moss and cow hair, cut short, and 

 placed in a wooden box or basket. Put the box in a warm 

 place, near the kitchen stove, and feed the birds, at short 

 intervals, from early- morning to sunset. Give them pigs' or 

 sheep's heart, and mealworms, chopped very fine ; ants' eggs 

 may be substituted for the latter. The food should be given in 

 a moist state, and after each meal a few drops of water must be 

 administered with a fine quill, shaped like a pen. At the age 

 of six weeks the young birds will be able to partake of the usual 

 diet given to adults. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The females 

 are destitute of the conspicuous cheek markings which adorn 

 the male birds, and their rumps are the same colour as 

 the abdomen, whereas in the male that portion of the body 

 is in all cases black. The difference in sex is easily distin- 

 guished. 



Song. — The song of this bird is not very inspiriting ; it is 

 meagre, but not altogether unmusical. When a flock of a dozen 

 or so are suddenly disturbed, they scamper off hurriedly, utter- 

 ing, as they skim over the tops of the reeds or willows, a low, 

 pleasant, silvery note, in a rapid and somewhat agitated manner. 

 They fly low, but swiftly, and get out of sight as quickly as 

 possible, diving among reeds or willows for shelter and pro- 

 tection. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — These are, good shape ; 

 smooth, level feathers ; bright, clear colours ; a well-formed and 

 fully-developed beard, intensely black, and a pearly grey head. 

 The back and tail should be of a nice chestnut orange, the throat 

 clear white, and the breast pinkish white. The wings must be 

 tightly braced to the body, and the tail free from broken or 

 twisted feathers, and well carried. The feet and claws must be 

 perfect in form, and the exhibit in good bodily condition. There 

 must be an entire absence of dirt, and the bird should be tame 

 and tractable when under examination by the judge. 



General Remarks. — Bearded Titmice are famous climbers, 

 and run up and down reeds with the agility of squirrels. They 



