The following strange account respecting a tomtit, is from the Magazine of Natural History: -
Some years ago, a man of the name of Tom Otter murdered his sweetheart at a place called Drinsey Nook, in Lincolnshire; the assassin suffered the extreme penalty of the law, and was gibbetted near the place where he committed the fatal deed. It appears that, whilst the carnivorous tomtit was feeding on the flesh of the malefactor, he had an eye to a comfortable habitation in the vicinity of so much good cheer; and as there was no hole in the gibbet-post to suit his purpose, he actually took possession of the dead man's mouth, and he and his mate brought forth a brood of young cannibals; and more than that, they built there the next year, and were equally successful in rearing their young.
[- A somewhat similar circumstance occurred at Trafford, near this city; in the skull of Brown, who was gibbetted with Price, for robbing the Manchester and Chester Mail Cart, at Trafford, a robin for several years built its nest; and when the gibbets were taken down, about nine years ago, the nest was found in Brown's skull.] - Ed. Chron.
Chester Chronicle, 27th April 1832.
