In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 205 



southern and western counties, and to occur generally during the 

 winter. It may, however, easily be overlooked, the chief difference 

 from the former species consisting in the dark lines that run across 

 and above the eye, which sufficiently mark it to the careful observer. 

 Sylvia Troglodytes. "The Wren." Jenny Wren, with Cock 

 Robin, known even by every one who is not able to distinguish any 

 other kind of bird. I once saw a Spanish hen gobble up two full- 

 fledged Wrens one after another, which, unhappily for them, took 

 their maiden flight into a pen of these fowls. I may have been 

 unwittingly accessory to this sad tragedy, from having been ac- 

 customed to throw the mice, which I had caught in some numbers, 

 into the fowls' pen, having observed how eagerly they were fought 

 for, and relished by the fowls, but I was not prepared for this display 

 of cannibalism. The egg of this species varies greatly in size. I 

 have taken some that were nearly as big as Linnets', and almost 

 white, others being much smaller, and thickly covered with red 

 spots at the bigger end. I have often had our little friend pitch on 

 my shoulder and my feet, as I have been silently waiting under 

 some willow-tree in the evening for wild fowl. 



Parus Major. " Greater Titmouse." We now come to the 

 family of Paridse, who make up for their want of size, by their self- 

 assertion. I am afraid they have a bad name for their destructive 

 nature to the buds and young shoots of our garden shrubs, but 

 who can tell the counterbalancing good they do, by the amount of 

 noxious grubs and insects they consume. At the head of the family 

 stands the Greater Tit, a most beautifully-marked bird with his 

 yellow and black plush livery. Quite common, and well known 

 everywhere. 



Parus Caruleus. "The Blue Titmouse. Equally well known as 

 the last. A most determined fighter for the sanctity of his nest and 

 home, as many a pecked finger, hastily withrawn from his front 

 door, will testify. 



Parus Ater. " Cole Titmouse." Nearly as common with us as 

 the last. A pair of these birds regularly build year by year in the 



