190 
GREAT? TIL: 
OXEYE. BLACK CAP. GREAT TITMOUSE. TOMTIT. GREAT 
BLACK-HEADED TOMTIT. SIT-YE-DOWN. 
Parus major, PENNANT. MontTasu. BEWICcK. 
POTN. 00.00 v0000s ? Major—Greater. 
THE plague of British ornithology, useless novelties in 
nomenclature, according to the ‘whims and oddities’ of every 
self-styled ‘Field naturalist,’ may be illustrated by the example 
of the name of ‘Parus hortensis,’ or ‘Garden Tit,’ assigned to 
the Oxeye, as if it were more a frequenter of gardens than 
the Blue-cap, and therefore claimed a new specific name! 
Mr. Macgillivray, in discussing the affinities of the genus, 
at the head of which, in this country at least, the Oxeye 
stands, gives it as his opinion, that the family of the Titmice 
is allied to that of the Jays; and there is certainly some sort 
of cousin-germanship between them. 
The gay party-colour of this species—the chief of its clan 
—wmakes it a great ornament to our country. It is abundant 
in wooded districts; less so in others. 
It is common in Russia, Holland, and Italy, and various 
other countries of Europe, as far north as Norway, Sweden, 
and Siberia, and is also said to be met with in Africa, near 
the Cape of Good Hope; as well as im Asia Minor, where it 
has been seen by my friend, Hugh Edwin Strickland, Esq. 
In England, Iveland, and Scotland, it is plentiful. 
The Oxeye remains with us all the year round, but evidently 
makes partial migrations, whether caused simply by the quest 
of food or no, I know not. One has been met with half-way 
across, the Atlantic. 
Mr. Hewitson has well observed of the Titmice, that they 
are perfect mountebanks; it making no difference to them 
