CHAPTER III. 



I HIS pretty little bird is also known as the Cole Tit, 

 although the etymology of the latter designation is 

 not by any means clear, while that of the one I have 

 adopted is unmistakable, and has reference to the colour 

 of the bird's head and throat, which are both as black 

 as the blackest of "black diamonds" and sparkle like 

 veritable gems of the first water. 



It is a British species and remains with us throughout 

 the year, though it is very much given to wandering 

 during the winter in search of its favourite food, that 

 is to say various small insects upon which it subsists 

 almost exclusively during the spring, summer and 

 autumn months of the year. 



Although pretty generally diffused throughout the 

 country, it is not of numerous occurrence anywhere, but 

 prefers the vicinity of fir and pine woods, which are its 

 favourite haunt, especially during the inclement season. 

 Insectivorous in its habits in the main, it must eat 



