BLUE TITMOUSE. 91 



Family TARID/E. Genus Parus. 



Sub-family PARIN^E. 



BLUE TITMOUSE. 



Parus CvERULeus, Linnccus. 

 Double Brooded. Laying season, April and June. 



British breeding area : The Blue Titmouse is by 

 far the commonest species of the present genus found in 

 the British Islands. It is more or less abundantly dis- 

 tributed in all districts suited to its requirements 

 throughout the United Kingdom, but does not, as a 

 breeding species, extend to the Hebrides, the Orkneys, 

 and the Shetlands. It also becomes rarer and more 

 local in the northern parts of Scotland, and the wilder 

 districts of Ireland. 



Breeding habits : The Blue Titmouse shows little 

 partiality for any particular haunt. Its breeding- 

 grounds may be said to be anywhere in all districts 

 that are sufficiently well wooded for the requirements of 

 this species. It breeds indiscriminately in woods, fields, 

 lanes, hedgerows, shrubberies, plantations, gardens, 

 orchards, and in buildings of various kinds, as well as 

 walls in suitable localities. I am of opinion that the 

 Blue Titmouse pairs for life, and yearly it will be found 

 to return to its old nest, even in spite of continued 

 disturbance. Although social and gregarious for the 

 remainder of the year, in the breeding season the Blue 

 Titmouse is solitary, each pair keeping to themselves 

 until the young leave the nest. The site for the nest of 

 this species is invariably a covered one. Holes in trees, 

 stumps, posts, and in walls are the favourite situations ; 

 less frequently a hole in the ground is selected. Many 

 curious sites for the nest have been recorded, which we 



