B E A R D E D T I T. 
PABUS BIAllMICUS. 
Tue drainage of marshes and reclaiming of waste lands all over the country arc banishing numbers of our 
native birds from the strongholds they have held for ages. This handsome little bird, unlike some of the 
Wer species, is at present in no danger of being entirely driven from our islands, as the more extensive 
broads and meres in the eastern counties offer them a safe retreat. The districts, however, that are suited to 
their habits arc fast becoming much reduced; several spots where they were formerly common have been 
completely changed by the new style of farming and other innovations. 
In the east of Norfolk this interesting species is still to be found in considerable numbers, though the 
never-failing persecution they suffer from dealers and collectors tends to greatly restrict their numbers. 1 he 
price of four shillings a dozen, which is offered for their eggs, induces the natives of those dreary wastes to 
search diligently ; and but few of the first nests ever escape their sharp eyes. After the reeds get up to a 
certain height it is more difficult to make out the whereabouts of the birds ; and consequently the later broods 
escape. No one but a practised hand would ever discover the nest of this species. There are, however, in 
the fen and broad districts generally a class of men who make a living by egging, gunning, and fishing. This 
occupation seems to have been handed down from father to son ; but I am afraid that, like many of the rarer 
denizens of the swamps, they will before long be cither driven from their quarters or forced to adopt a new 
style of life. 
Over twenty years ago I observed a small flock in Romney Marsh, in Kent, my attention being attracted 
to the reed-bed by their clear bell-like notes. Since that time I have occasionally visited the district, but 
have never met with a single specimen. 
The Bearded Titmouse commences its nesting-operations as early as the latter end of March, and would 
in all probability rear two or three broods in a season if unmolested. The demand for their eggs, however, is, 
as previously stated, so great that but few of the earlier nests escape. I have on several occasions seen young 
birds able to leave the nest by the 4th or oth of May, and so late as the middle of August have known the 
female sitting on eggs : the nest was accidentally discovered on August 16th. Some years back I noticed early 
in the summer a couple of pairs on a small island in Heigham Sounds, in Norfolk ; and being then in want 
of a specimen, 1 shot one of the male birds. On again visiting the spot a week or so later, I discovered that 
the lone female had joined the other pair (whose nest with six fresh eggs I had previously seen), and had laid 
ve eggs in their nest. The two sets of eggs, the one frcsli-laid and the other hard-set, were easily 
is mgmshed by their colour, both females being equally demonstrative and excited while we remained in the 
ir; jz “r - A day ° r tw ° bter the arst csss ™ ; ** 1 — —— 
four to ZT m E0ed 'f ® SMts thc stylo these birds) join in Books varying from three or 
four to ten or fifteen, and keep together till early in the spring. Though such delicately little Z£ 
