THE BLUE TITMOUSE. 135 



head is bright cobalt blue ; the forehead white, as well as a 

 line of feathers extending round the blue crown ; cheeks 

 and hinder part of the neck white ; back green ; wings 

 and tail blue ; breast and under-parts sulphur-yellow ; legs 

 bluish-grey. Wordsworth appreciated its bright colours : 



" Where is he, that giddy sprite, 

 Blue-cap, with his colours bright, 

 Who was blest as bird could be, 

 Feeding on the apple-tree ; 

 Made such wanton sport and rout, 

 Turning blossoms inside out ; 

 Hung head pointing towards the ground, 

 Fluttered, perched, into a round 

 Bound himself, and then unbound ; 

 Lithest, gaudiest harlequin, 

 Prettiest tumbler ever seen ! 

 Light of heart and light of limb, 

 What is now become of him ?" 



