521 
readily, 'Iho cock was the principal architect, and he also took his 
turn on the eggs during tho day. The nests were so weU concealed, 
a e only way I could see them was by looking down at them 
from the roof of the cage. The eggs were laid about eight or nine 
0 clock a,m,, and when tho birds had left the nest I found that tho 
lining WM invariably puUed over tho eggs, I have observed that tho 
eggs of tho Eluo and Colo Tits are sometimes hidden in this way 
Iho ordinary notes of the Boarded Tit are e,xceedinglv 
musical, (,uito imhko those of any other bird with which I am 
acriuainted. It has no song, but makes a sort of crowiiitr which 
consists of three or four notes uttered slowly, great stress bLg laid 
the Last, wliieh is much drawn out This utterance is accom- 
l«nied by an elongation of the neck, somewhat after the manner of 
10 barn-door cock. It has also a curious habit of scratching in 
tlio sand, when searching for food, like the common fowl ; thU may 
have given rise to tho name “Eeed Pheasant,” by which it is known 
among dcleis. It moults onco a year, in tho autumn. It has no 
spring moult, nor does it shed tho tips of its feathera as some birds 
■ Iho p umago of tho cock when new is sulTusod with a delicate 
bloom, and he ,s then truly lovely to look upon; but this soon fades 
m confinomont They will cat a variety of seeds, and .are fond of 
Canary and Millet, and especially so of tho small gimpowdcr-liko 
tTnioM * " “r ”i 
led-woims, Gentles, and many other insects, 
t is a pretty sight to see a number sitting close tof^other 
softly to one another. I can avcil im.agine a family party thus 
sitting on a pi-ostrato Eced in tho middle of some thick reod-l»d 
eltored from the inid-day sun, “dreambg the sultry hours away " 
ho least noise, and they dispeiso in every direction; and then 
ivait 111 silence till the danger is past, when a few musical cal" 
Jtes reunite them side by side as before. At other times th ”r 
leai ringing aLarm-notos would rodiioe tho other occuimnts of the 
aviaiy to silence in a moment It is by far the most interesting 
ago-pet of which I have any knowledge. At firat shy and timid 
It soon howovor acquires conadoiice, and becomes oxceedbgly tame 
to those who arc kind to it Its affectionate disposition ^ies it 
desirable to keep a number together; quarrels are unknon-n, even in 
tho breeding season, when most birds become more or less pugnacious 
VOL. III. ^ ® 
X X 
