BIRDS OF THE GARDEN 41 



BLUE TITMOUSE (Parus cceruleus). 



Well distributed and common ; rarer in the North 

 of Scotland. Found well nigh everywhere, even in 

 large cities. 



Plumage. Crown blue encircled with white. Cheeks 

 white bounded with blue ; upper parts olive-green. 

 Wings and tail blue ; under parts yellow. Bill nearly 

 black. Legs bluish grey. Length^ in. Female duller ; 

 cheeks ashy. Young less blue throughout and yellower. 



Language. Song, "pim-im-im-im-im." First two sylla- 

 bles pitched about two tones above the rest, and rather 

 metallic in tone. Call-note, " tzee " ; also a chiding, 

 scolding note. 



Habits. One of our prettiest small birds. It is a kind 

 of acrobatic harlequin, and seems quite as much at home 

 hanging head downwards from a bough as in any other 

 position. Flight undulating. It readily goes to the 

 ground to feed if necessary. On the nest the bird sits 

 tightly, hissing, and pecks intruding fingers (hence 

 Billy-biter). 



Food. Insects and their larvae ; but, failing this, 

 practically omnivorous. 



Nest. April onwards. Probably two broods. 



Site. A variety of places, quaint and otherwise, 

 usually in hole in wall or tree or other suitable cavity. 



Materials. Moss, leaves, grass, feathers, and cobwebs, 

 lined with wool, hair, and many feathers. 



Eggs. Five to nine. White, speckled and dotted with 

 pale reddish brown. 



GOLDFINCH (Carduelis elegans). 

 Pretty generally distributed, but less abundant than 

 formerly. 



Haunts. Woods, plantations, gardens, orchards, and 

 waste lands. 



Plumage. Back of head, nape, and region round base" 



F 



