Birds of Britain 



ever on the move and is extremely fond of a bit of suet — 

 a piece hung on a string in the garden afibrds throughout 

 the winter months endless opportunities of watching its 

 pretty and fascinating ways. In summer, sunflower seeds 

 are a great attraction ; these are removed as soon as they 

 ripen, and taken to some convenient post or branch ; there he 

 will hold one between his feet and split it with a few well- 

 directed blows of his bill, and having swallowed the tender 

 kernel he will return again and again to the same sun- 

 flower until not a seed is left. 



Any dark cavity will suit it for a nesting-site, either a 

 hole in some tree or post, an old tin carelessly thrown in a 

 hedge, or some artificial nest-box in the garden, but it will 

 rarely be nearer the ground than about six feet. It has a 

 very short but bright song, which may often be heard in 

 spring, and its call-note is a single "tzee." 



It is a very common resident, wandering in small parties 

 all over the country during the winter months and even 

 penetrating the heart of our large cities, where it becomes 

 very tame and confiding. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. The back is yellowish 

 green ; tail and wings blue ; wing coverts tipped with 

 white ; the crown is cobalt blue encircled by a white line 

 running backwards across the forehead. The chin is blue, 

 and a blue line runs through each eye to the nape, and, 

 encircling the white cheeks, runs forward again to meet the 

 blue chin. Under parts sulphur yellow with a black streak 

 down the centre of the chest. Length 4' 3 in. ; wing 

 2-4 in. 



The young are very similar but rather duller in colour. 



8o 



