130 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



common in Norway as the preceding. Its favourite 

 resort in summer appears to be by the sides of lakes 

 in the fjelds. 



The tomtits are common in all parts of Norway, and 

 several of the species are to be found in Norwegian 

 Lapland. 



The great titmouse (Parus major) is called in Nor- 

 way the 'kjod-meise, or meat-tit ; for it is so fond of meat 

 that it hops about the door of the peasant's cottage, 

 watching for an opportunity of getting into the pantry, 

 spiis-kammer. It is frequently caught alive in a trap, 

 like a mouse, which is placed near the aforesaid pantry 

 for the purpose, and is baited with a bit of meat. 



The cole titmouse (P. ater) is seen during the sum- 

 mer months in Finmark. It visits the neighbour- 

 hood of Christiania in winter, in the company of the 

 golden-crested wren. 



The crested titmouse (P. cristatus) is called in 

 Norway the top-meise, or top-knot tit. It remains in 

 the pine woods. It comes to the neighbourhood of 

 Christiania in autumn, where it takes up its winter 

 quarters. It nests in the hole of a pine, and lays from 

 eight to ten white eggs, spotted with red. 



The Siberian titmouse (P. Sibiricus) keeps to 

 Norwegian Lapland in summer ; in October it comes 

 down to the central parts, and is then to be met with 

 in Gudbrandsdal, Hallingdal, and Hedmarken. This 

 species is very tame, and fearlessly comes close to 

 human beings ; it nests in the hole of a pine, and lays 

 nine white eggs, marked with pale red spots. Halling- 

 dal is one of Norway 's most celebrated valleys. The 

 peasantry of the district are peculiar in their habits ; 

 they are partial to dancing and fighting, two very 



