36 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



with such pugnacious creatures as the Tits, which, as I 

 subsequently found out, are capable of worrying even 

 such a big bird as a Cockateel, until the life of the latter 

 has become a burden to it. 



If a large aviary, however, could be devoted to the 

 sole use of the various members of the Tit family, I 

 am of opinion that it would be well worth while to give 

 them a trial, for they are, all of them, really handsome 

 birds, even the species now under consideration, and that 

 notwithstanding the sombre colour of their headdress, and 

 the dull bluish-greyish-green, or greenish-grey of their 

 back and wings, for the spotless purity of the white 

 cheeks and under-parts presents a most pleasing contrast 

 to the less conspicuous colouring of the upper portions 

 of the body. 



As all the Tits are mainly insectivorous in their habits, 

 it is hopeless to attempt to keep any of them in confine- 

 ment for any length of time without an adequate supply 

 of animal food, for which elaborately prepared and much 

 belauded "mixtures" are a very insufficient substitute. 



Ants' eggs, or the cocoons rather of these industrious 

 insects, are abundant and cheap, and if freely supplied 

 to the birds will suffice to keep them in good health with 

 very little addition of anything else; and if the Tits are 

 healthy, they will preserve their pretty plumage in per- 

 fect condition, and will sing, too, for they have a little 

 song of their own, and their call-note is musical and 

 exceedingly pleasant to many ears. 



