A TOMTIT'S NEST.
[To THR EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."
SIR,—A pair of tomtits have built and hatched under an inverted flower-pot in my garden. The nest is on the ground, but in a sheltered and very dry position, and the flower-pot is 11 in. in depth with a diameter or base of 13 in. The tomtit builds a closed nest entered by a small opening at the Bide, and in this case the adaptation of the habit to the situation is curious. On the removal of the covering flower-pot, a circular cushion filling the whole ground-space is shown, nearly 2in. in thickness ; moss on the ground, wool and hair above, like the wall of the ordinary nest. The nest proper, with about a dozen young birds, is at one side, where the slope of the pot and a Bolt of protecting wall or pad of wool would act as a covering ; and the old birds have access through the hole in the bottom of the flower-pot. How the young birds are to get out of this nest, with some 10in. of vertical flight to manage, is not clear.—I am, Sir, &c., F. SIMCOX LEA.
Tedstone Delamere Rectory, Worcester, May 24th.
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