THE BEARDED TITMOUSE. 
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materials of which the nest is composed are strips of 
hast, fine reed-tops, and cotton, gathered from different 
plants; it is thickly lined inside with the latter. Onr 
little friend breeds late in the year, because the nest is 
never suspended from other than old reeds; the former 
is very difficult to find, and for this reason little is as yet 
known of the bird’s habits while breeding. The female 
lays four or five eggs, of a pale red, speckled with brown, 
and sits in turn with the male. 
The Bearded Tit, like others of the family, is easily 
shot if seen, and may be without difficulty taken in 
almost any trap. It becomes very tame; and, when fed 
on Nightingale’s food and seeds, may be kept for several 
years in captivity. When confined in a large wire-cage, and 
allowed to fly about the room, it is a real pleasure to see 
the little creature. Male and female, which must always 
be kept together, appear to be inseparable, calling con¬ 
tinually to one another, if parted though only for 
a moment. When they meet again they purr to one 
another, with half-closed eyes, in the most curious 
manner possible, holding the head lowered and spreading 
out the tail-feathers, as though “ drumming,” like a 
Pheasant; in fact, they coax and cosset one another in 
every describable manner by which one bird can evince 
its affection for another. Thus they may be highly 
recommended as companionable pets for the aviary. 
