74 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



ffiluc ^itmouec. 



The Blue Titmouse {Parus aiiruleus, Linnaeus) is a com- 

 mon resident in the British Isles, and also in Central and 

 Southern Europe. The adult has the crown of the head 

 cobalt blue ; forehead, and a line running backward over 

 the eyes encircling the head, white ; cheeks, white ; streak 

 before and behind the eye, black ; nape of the neck, collar, 

 and throat, deep blue-black; back, olive, tinged with yellow; 

 rump, paler; wings and tail, blue; greater coverts and 

 secondaries, tipped with white ; under parts, sulphur-yellow; 

 irides, dark brown ; bill, bluish ; legs and feet, bluish-grey. 

 Length, about four inches. The female is duller in 

 colouration. The young show less blue and more yellow 

 in comparison to their otherwise dingy plumage. 



