150 PARID^E. 



have seen him cling to the moulding of a window for 

 several minutes, without relinquishing his hold, though 

 the projecting surface was merely a smooth beading. All 

 this while he was engaged in tearing to pieces the cocoon 

 which some caterpillar had constructed in a crevice ; and so 

 intent was he on his occupation, that he took no notice 

 of the tenants of the room, though they were only a few 

 feet distant from him. He is more frequently seen on the 

 ground than either of the other species, and where it is 

 the custom to throw out crumbs and the scrapings of 

 plates, for the benefit of little birds, the Blue Tit rarely 

 fails to present itself among Sparrows and Redbreasts. 



The Tom Tit builds its nest of moss, and lines it 

 with hair, wool, and feathers. This it places in a hole, 

 either in a wall or tree, and is at so great pains to 

 combine comfort and security for its brood, that it has 

 been known to excavate, in a decayed stump, a chamber 

 large enough for its nest, and to carry away the chips 

 in its beak to some distant place, lest, we may suppose, 

 they should betray its retreat. More frequently, how- 

 ever, it selects a natural hollow, as, for instance, the 

 stump of a small tree in a hedge, of which all the 

 inner part is decayed ; nor does it despise human appli- 

 ances if they will answer its purpose ; a disused pump, 

 a bottle, or a flower-pot, have all been known to serve 

 its turn. It lays six or seven eggs, and if some state- 

 ments are to be credited, above twelve ; and in defence of 

 its family, shows great courage. If a nest be molested, 

 the bird, instead of endeavouring to escape, retains its 

 place and makes an unpleasant hissing noise, and if this 

 be not enough to deter the intruder, pecks his fingers with 

 great vigour. Hence it has received the popular name of 

 " Billy Biter." As a songster, it does not rank high ; yet 

 it has some variety of notes, which it utters in short 

 snatches, expressive rather than musical, as if the bird 

 were trying to talk rather than to sing. 



