GREAT TIT. 327 



Some of the various species of the genus Parus, or the 

 Titmice, as they have been very generally called, are remark- 

 able for the beauty of the colours of their plumage, and the 

 well-defined character of the markings ; these birds also at- 

 tract attention from their vivacity and incessant activity. 

 They are indefatigable in their search for food ; and being 

 fearless in disposition, may be readily observed climbing the 

 trunks of trees, or by the aid of their strong toes and hooked 

 claws hanging suspended from the under surface of branches, 

 while examining every cavity, leaf, or bud, that is likely to 

 afford shelter to any of their numerous insect prey. These 

 birds exhibit several peculiarities common to different groups 

 of the dentirostral division. The Great Tit, so called, and 

 placed first in the series, because the largest in size, will fre- 

 quently kill small birds, accomplishing his purpose by re- 

 peated blows of his hard and sharp beak on the skull of the 

 victim, and afterwards picking out and eating the brains. 

 Though more truly a feeder on insects, the Great Tit, un- 

 like Insectivorous birds in general, does not migrate, but 

 remains all the year in the same district, apparently un- 

 affected by the very different temperature of Italy as com- 

 pared with Russia, and the species is known to be constantly 

 resident in both countries. 



In England the Great Tit is seldom seen on bleak open 

 ground, but inhabits woods, the vicinity of gardens, or other 

 enclosed and sheltered situations in summer, where it occa- 

 sionally feeds on small seeds. In winter it approaches nearer 

 the habitations of men, and may be seen in hard weather 

 closely examining the thatch of old buildings in search of the 

 many small flies that harbour there. As the Great Tit is an 

 early breeder, the lively chirping notes of the male are heard 

 early in February ; sometimes this bird produces a sound 

 which has been considered to resemble the noise made in 

 sharpening a saw ; and though this is small praise, his notes 



