SPECIES 2. PARUS BICOLOR. 



CRESTED TITMOUSE. 



[Plate VIII. Fig. 5.] 



Parus bicolor, LINN. Syst. i, 544, . 1. La Mesange huppee de la 

 Caroline, BUFF, v, 451. Toupet Titmouse, Arct. Zool. i, JVo. 

 324. LATH. Syn. iv, 544, It. PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 7364. 



THIS is another associate of the preceding species; but more 

 noisy, more musical, and more suspicious, though rather less 

 active. It is, nevertheless, a sprightly bird, possessing a remark- 

 able variety in the tones of its voice, at one time not much 

 louder than the squeaking of a mouse, and in a moment after 

 whistling aloud, and clearly, as if calling a dog; and continuing 

 this dog-call through the woods for half an hour at a time. Its 

 high, pointed crest, or as Pennant calls it, toupet, gives it a 

 smart and not inelegant appearance. Its food corresponds with 

 that of the foregoing; it possesses considerable strength in the 

 muscles of its neck, and is almost perpetually digging into acorns, 

 nuts, crevices, and rotten parts of the bark, after the larvae of 

 insects. It is also a constant resident here. When shot at and 

 wounded, it fights with great spirit. When confined to a cage it 

 soon becomes familiar, and will subsist on hemp-seed, cherry- 

 stones, apple seeds, and hickory nuts, broken and thrown into 

 it. However, if the cage be made of willows, and the bird not 

 much hurt, he will soon make his way through them. The 

 great concavity of the lower side of the wings and tail of this 

 genus of birds, is a strong characteristic, and well suited to their 

 short irregular flight. 



This species is also found over the whole United States; but 

 is most numerous towards the north. It extends also to Hudson's 

 bay; and, according to Latham, is found in Denmark, and in 



