190 



GREAT TIT. 



OXETE. BLACK CAP. GEEAT TITMOUSE. TOMTIT. GEEAT 

 BLACK-HEADED TOMTIT. SIT-TE-DOWN. 



Parus major, Pennant. Montagu. Bewick. 



Parus — ? iHf a/or— 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 

 — makes 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 in Asia Minor, where it 

 has been seen by my friend, Hugh Edwin Strickland, Esq. 

 In England, Ireland, 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 j it making no difference to them 



