98 



GENUS XXVIII. 



PARUS. 



Bill strong, entire, base covered with reflected 

 bristles ; tongue truncated, the end terminated with 

 bristles; feet simple, 3 toes before and one behind. 



1. MAJOR. GREAT TITMOUSE, OR OX-EYE. 



P. viridi-olivaceus subtus Jlavescens, capite nigro, 

 temporibus albis, nucha lutea. Shaw. 



The bill is black; irides dusky; the head and 

 throat are black ; the cheeks white ; the back is olive 

 green ; the rump blue grey ; the quills are dusky ; 

 the greater are edged with white, the lesser with pale 

 green ; the belly is greenish yellow ; the legs are lead 

 colour. 



The length is 5 inches. 



The ox-eye begins to pair early in spring, and 

 builds its nest in the hole of a tree. It is composed 

 of moss, and lined with hair. 



The female lays 6 or 8 eggs, which are white 

 spotted with rust colour. 



During spring titmice are frequently observed searching 

 for the larvae of the tortrices so abundant among the open- 

 ing buds of fruit-trees, thus benefitting man in a very 

 considerable degree. But their services are no better re- 



