PARUS. TITMOUSE. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum validiusculum, in- 

 tegerrimum, subcompres- 

 sum, basi setis tectum. 



Lingua truncata, setis termi- 



nata. 

 Pedes simplices, digitis tribus 



anticis, uno postico. 



Beak strong, intire, a little 

 compressed, hard, with the 

 base covered with reflected 

 bristles. 



Tongue truncated, the end 

 terminated with bristles. 



Feet simple, with three toes 

 before, and one behind. 



A HE Titmice are noted for the peculiar elegant 

 construction of their nests, which are composed of 

 the softest materials ; many of them are fastened 

 to the extreme end of a small branch of a tree that 

 projects over the water, by which contrivance they 

 are well secured from the attacks of quadrupeds 

 and reptiles. They are very prolific, even to a 

 proverb, many of them laying near twenty eggs, 

 which they attend with great solicitude, and pro- 

 vide for their young with the most indefatigable 

 industry : they are very lively and active little 

 birds ; are constantly in motion ; and possess a 

 great degree of strength and courage, many of 

 them venturing to attack birds above three times 

 their own size ; they will even pursue an Owl with 

 fury, endeavouring to destroy its eyes. When they 



