THE TITS. THE RED-BILLED P1QUE-B0EUF. 



Long-tailed Titmouse. 



Guinea Hen. 



^MLs^^, 



Pique-Boeuf, or Oxbird. 



Chickadee. 



The Tufted Titmouse is very common in the southern parts of the Uuited States. Its usual song par- 

 takes of the high, echoing, clear tone of the Baltimore Bird. As a cage-bird it is very desirable. According 

 to the observations of Wilson, it soon becomes familiar in confinement, and readily makes its way out of a 

 wicker cage by repeated blows at the twigs. It may be fed on hemp-seed, cherry stones, apple-pippins, and 

 hickory nuts, broken and thrown into it. 



The Chickadee, or Black-capped Titmouse, is a familiar, hardy, restless little bird, inhabiting the 

 northern and middle states, as well as Canada. Its quaint notes and jingling warble are heard even in 

 winter, on fine days, when the weather relaxes in its severity. It adds by its presence, indomitable action, 



and chatter, an air of cheerfulness to the silent and 

 dreary winters of the coldest parts of America. Dr. 

 Richardson found it in the fur countries up to the 

 sixty-fifth parallel, where it contrives to dwell through- 

 out the whole year. 



The Long-tailed Titmouse, which is a native of 

 Europe, constructs a very curious nest;1t is of an oval 

 form, with a small hole near the upper part for an 

 entrance ; the principal material of the nest is moss, 

 bound together by the aurelia of insects ; it is lined 

 with down and feathers, so arranged that their soft 

 webs all point inwards. 



The Bed-billed Pique-Boeuf, is a native of northern 

 Africa. It fives on the parasitic insects infesting the 

 hides of sheep, oxen, and the like. Fixed on their back, 

 by means of his powerful claws, the Pique-Boeuf digs 

 and squeezes out with his beak the larvae that lie be- 

 neath the festering skin, to the real benefit of the ani- 

 Tufted Titmouse. mal, who patiently submits to the operation. 



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