CRESTED TIT.

Parus cristatus, Lann.

La Mesange huppée.

In our attempts to discover this interesting species of Tit in this country we have been unfortunately disap-
pointed, notwithstanding every work which has hitherto been published on British Ornithology has enumerated
it as one of our indigenous birds. In his work on British Birds, Mr. Selby states that he has been informed
by Sir W. Jardine that the Crested Tit has been found in some plantations near Glasgow, where it annually
breeds. Upon the testimony of this distinguished naturalist, we feel ourselves bound to agree in the propriety
of its admission into the list of our native Fauna, hoping that at no distant day we shall receive further infor-
mation on the subject. Rare as it is with us, it is very common in some parts of Europe, bemg abundant in
the pine forests of all its northern regions, and especially where juniper trees are plentiful. M.'Temminck,
however, assures us that it is scarce in Holland: we know it to be common in Germany, France, and
the Alpine regions.

In habits and manners it resembles the rest of the smaller Tits, feeding on insects, berries, and the seeds
of evergreens.

M. Temminck says it builds its nest in the holes of trees or walls, or in the abandoned dreys of Squirrels
and Pies. The eggs are as many as ten in number, of a white colour, marked on the larger end with spots of
blood red.

The sexes offer no external difference in plumage.

The head is furnished with a beautiful crest, capable of erection, consisting of long white feathers, having
their centres black ; the cheeks and sides of the neck white, bounded before by a band, which passes from
the throat to the sides of the neck, and behind by a similar band passing from the back of the head in the
same direction; the ear-coverts are also bounded by a narrow line of black ; the general plumage above is
delicate brown, and below white, slightly tinged with brown.

The Plate represents a male of the natural size.

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