63 



COLE TIT. 



COLE TITMOUSE. COLEMOUSE. 

 PLATE XXXI. 



Parus ater, PENNATST. MONTAGU. 



THE nest is placed in a hole of a tree, and, according to Mr. 

 Hewitson, at a less height from the ground than that of the other 

 Titmice, even in the hollows about the roots; sometimes in the hole 

 of a wall, or of a bank, or in that of a mouse, rat, or mole: it is 

 made up of moss, wool, hair, fur, and feathers. This bird, like the 

 Oxeye, and doubtless others of its race, will enlarge a hole for its 

 accommodation by removing the pulverised particles of wood which 

 have partially filled or lined it. 



Two gentlemen of Rutlandshire, who wish their initials only to appear, 

 W, and C, have favoured me with the nest from which the engraving 

 has been made. It appears to be entirely composed of fine hair and 

 down, with a few thin woody fibres intermixed. 



The eggs, from six to eight in number, are like those of its fellows 

 white, spotted with light red: some have a tinge of yellowish. 



Incubation lasts about a fortnight, the male and female sitting by 

 turns; the young are fed principally with caterpillars. Two broods are 

 hatched in the year, of which the first is fledged in May. 



