236 INSESSORES. PARUS. TITMOUSE. 



rious. It has been considered as an enemy by horticulturists, 

 in biting off the buds of fruit-trees ; but I am convinced that 

 this accusation has been inconsiderately made, and that the 

 trifling injury occasionally committed by the abrasion of a 

 few flower buds, is more than compensated by the destruc- 

 Food. tion of innumerable larvae, and eggs of the insect tribe, which 

 are usually deposited in or about those essential parts of 

 fructification ; and which, if allowed to proceed through the 

 necessary changes, would effectually check all hope of pro- 

 duce. In winter the Blue- Cap frequently resorts to stack- 

 yards and folds, where it feeds upon grain, chiefly oats, 

 through the husk of which, after having fixed it firmly with 

 its claws, it picks a hole, by repeated strokes of its bill. 

 It greedily devours carrion, and is a regular attendant upon 

 the wheel attached to a dog-kennel. Like the Greater Tit- 

 mouse, it will also attack other small birds, sometimes killing 

 them in a similar manner ; and is remarkable for its hostility 

 to the Owl, which it follows, and unremittingly persecutes, 

 whenever the latter happens to be in motion during the day. 

 Nest, &c. It breeds in the holes of trees or walls, and forms its nest of 

 mosses, lined with feathers and hair. Its eggs, from six to 

 eight in number, (not eighteen or twenty, as mentioned by 

 some authors), are white, spotted with brown at the larger 

 end. The female is not easily to be driven from her nest, 

 and, if an attempt be made to seize her upon it, bites with 

 severity (from which has arisen one of the provincial terms), 

 at the same time ruffling her feathers, hissing and making 

 the spitting noise of an irritated kitten. The call-notes of 

 the Blue Titmouse are confined to a weak chirp, and a kind 

 of harsh chatter. 



It is found throughout Europe, and usually in abundance. 



PLATE 51. Fig. 2. Natural size, 

 ill bluish-grey. Forehead, b 

 cheeks, white. Crown of the 

 before and behind the eyes black. Nape of the neck, 



General Bill bluish-grey. Forehead, band above the eyes, and 

 descrip- 

 tion, cheeks, white. Crown of the head Berlin blue. Streak 



