THE 



SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



TITS, OR TITMICE. 



fT^HESE members of the sub-family Parince form a very compact 

 group of birds, distinguished from all others by certain unmistak- 

 able marks and characteristics. They have mostly short, robust bodies, 

 with plumage boldly marked, having strong contrasts of colour; their 

 bills are short and sharp, suitable for insect-hunters, which they all 

 are. Their motions are quick and irregular, and their feet and claws, 

 although slight, are very strong, enabling them to grasp the trunks 

 and boughs of trees very tightly, so that they can search the under 

 parts, and move about with their heads downwards, in which position 

 they are as often seen as in any other; their hind toes and claws are 

 unusually long, an obvious advantage to their mode of life. They 

 belong to the Dentirostral tribe of birds, viz : those having the tip of 

 the upper mandible slightly toothed and hooked. 



The Tits are wonderfully active birds, seeming to be almost inces- 

 santly in motion; they can fly very well, but do not exercise that 

 power much, generally keeping pretty close to the trees where they 

 find their insect food, on which, however, they do not feed exclusively, 



