BLUE TIT. 389 



herself to be carried in the box into a house for examina- 

 tion ; and when the box was replaced in its former situation, 

 she did not desert her eggs, but hatched them, and reared 

 her young. The Blue Tit sits " about fourteen days. 

 When first hatched," says a correspondent in the Magazine 

 of Natural History, " the hen sat upon the young ones 

 several hours during the day. This time was gradually 

 shortened, till they were sufficiently fledged not to need 

 such a means of warmth. Nothing but small grubs and 

 caterpillars were brought to the nest ; and I was induced 

 to believe that the depredations of these birds are not, at 

 that time of the year, injurious to vegetation. Many 

 insects did they bring from some apple trees that grew 

 near, but no buds." In another instance where the parent 

 birds were closely watched, caterpillars only were brought, 

 in rapid succession, to feed their young. 



Insects, in their various stages, appear to be the princi- 

 pal objects of search as food during summer. In winter 

 the Blue Tits frequent farmyards and outhouses, picking 

 up small seeds, or other portions of vegetable matter, and 

 are constant visitors to the horseflesh hung up near the 

 dog-kennel. They are most amusing when seen upon trees, 

 from their unceasing restlessness, and the grotesque posi- 

 sions assumed under as well as over the branches when 

 searching for food. The call-note is a single shrill chirp, 

 and the best vocal efforts of this little bird possess but 

 little variation. 



The general distribution of the Blue Tit in this country 

 renders a particular notice of its localities unnecessary. 

 It appears to be common in Ireland ; and was seen by Mr. 

 Selby as far north in Scotland as the fir plantations at 

 Rosehall in Sutherlandshire. It is a native of Denmark, 

 Norway, Sweden, the southern part of Russia, and the 

 European continent. M. Vieillot says it inhabits the 



