32 NUTHATCH. 



are torn off without the least sign of an insect within. The Tits 

 are all fond of flesh and fat, and the Tom Tit in particular during 

 the severe winter months, is a close attendant on the country 

 butcher's shop, passing through the open lattice work and helping 

 himself, and he may frequently be seen to visit fearlessly the 

 humble butcher's shop of the dog-kennel. If a bone with fresh 

 meat upon it, or a lump of suet, or fat, be hung by a short string 

 from the end of a rod, or the branch of a tree, near a sitting-room 

 window, when the snow covers the ground, the Tits will soon find 

 it out ; and the act of charity will be rewarded by the amusement 

 and delight afforded in watching the action of these pretty lively 

 little birds. The various species of Tits, especially the Great Tit 

 and the Tom Tit, which are very sociable with each other, delight 

 in visiting the spot, and hang in a most amusing way, head down- 

 wards, on the bone as it sways to and fro, or on a slender twig. 



Lithest, gaudiest harlequin ! 

 Prettiest tumbler ever seen, 

 Light of heart, and light of limb 

 What is now become of him ? 

 Where is he, that giddy sprite ! 

 Blue Cap, with all his feathers bright. 

 ****** 



Hung with head towards the ground, 

 Fluttered, perched into a round, 

 Bound himself, and then unbound. 



Wordsworth. 



[Parus cristatus — Crested Titmouse.] 

 Extremely local in British Islands. 



Family— SITTID^. 



Genus— SITTA. 



SITTA C.4iSIA— Nuthatch. 



The Nut-hatch piercing with strong bill. 



SouTHEY— T7ic Filbert. 



This nimble, active little bird is very common throughout the 



county, and is gifted with the power of climbing up and down 



