108 
DARWINISM 
CHAP. 
more vegetarian diet, eating seeds as well as insects, and 
feeding on the ground as well as among trees. The delicate 
little blue titmouse (Parus coeruleus), with its very small bill, 
feeds on the minutest insects and grubs which it extracts 
from crevices of bark and from the buds of fruit-trees. The 
marsh titmouse, again (Parus palustris), has received its name 
from the low and marshy localities it frequents ; while the 
crested titmouse (Parus cristatus) is a northern bird frequenting 
especially pine forests, on the seeds of which trees it partially 
feeds. Then, again, our three common pipits—the tree-pipit 
(Anthus arboreus), the meadow-pipit (Anthus pratensis), and the 
rock-pipit or sea-lark (Anthus obscurus) have each occupied a 
distinct place in nature to which they have become specially 
adapted, as indicated by the different form and size of the 
hind toe and claw in each species. So, the stone-chat (Saxicola 
rubicola), the whin-chat (S. rubetra), and the wheat-ear (S. 
oenanthe) are all slightly divergent forms of one type, with 
modifications in the shape of the wing, feet, and bill adapting 
them to slightly different modes of life. The whin-chat is the 
smallest, and frequents furzy commons, fields, and lowlands, 
feeding on worms, insects, small molluscs, and berries; the 
stone-chat is next in size, and is especially active and lively, 
frequenting heaths and uplands, and is a permanent resident 
with us, the two other species being migrants; while the 
larger and more conspicuous wheat-ear, besides feeding on 
grubs, beetles, etc., is able to capture Hying insects on the 
wing, something after the manner of true flycatchers. 
These examples sufficiently indicate how divergence of 
character has acted, and has led to the adaptation of numerous 
allied species, each to a more or less special mode of life, with 
the variety of food, of habits, and of enemies which must 
necessarily accompany such diversity. And when we extend 
our inquiries to higher groups we find the same indications of 
divergence and special adaptation, often to a still more marked 
extent. Thus we have the larger falcons, which prey upon 
birds, while some of the smaller species, like the hobby 
(Falco subbuteo), live largely on insects. The true falcons 
capture their prey in the air, while the hawks usually seize it 
on or near the ground, feeding on hares, rabbits, squirrels, 
grouse, pigeons, and poultry. Kites and buzzards, on the 
