TREE-CLIMBING BIRDS i6i 



The Blue Titmouse has none of the vices of its 

 larger congener, and its beauty and sprightHness 

 make it a general favourite. In the woodlands, 

 except in the breeding season, it is usually met 

 with in family parties, each group containing what 

 may be taken to be the complement of the previous 

 year's nest. Like others of the family, these birds 

 seem to have little of the migratory instinct; but, 

 within the limits of their own country, they un- 

 questionablv travel for long distances. Unlike so 

 many birds which, having once taken up a location, 

 may be found in the vicinity day after day, the 

 appearance of the Blue Titmice in wood or hedge- 

 row, is at once suggestive of travellers on a leisurely 

 journey. In straggling order the line proceeds, 

 alighting on the topmost sprays, with their tittering 

 cry, feeding as they go; and in this way they will 

 follow the course of the country lane for many 

 miles, breaking away at length to traverse some 

 wood or row of trees to right or left, but never 

 remaining long in one place. In these excursions 

 the older birds seem to go first, calling loudly after 

 each short flight, when the rest invariablv follow. 

 In winter several of these parties join forces, and 

 flocks of fifty or more may be seen feeding amicably 

 together. 



Like the Great Tit, the Bluecap is a constant 

 visitor to the homestead, especially in cold weather, 

 and his lively bearing, and varied acrobatic move- 

 ments on the string from which the cocoa-nut 

 depends, are generally admired. He also frequents 

 the gardens and orchards in the fruit season, and 

 his conduct here forms matter for considerable dif- 

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