PERCHING BIRDS. 171 



Mr. Thompson says this is the most common 

 species of titmouse in Ireland. He describes the 

 manners of one in confinement, and says that, from 

 its vivacity and familiarity, it was most amusing. 

 It would cut through the netting of its cage, and 

 fly into the room, attacking a bit of bread or cake 

 in the children's hands, and absolutely refusing to 

 quit hold, notwithstanding all the efforts of the 

 child to drive it off. It was particularly fond of 

 lump-sugar. Being confined in a cage with some 

 other birds, it annoyed them sadly ; its favourite 

 trick* was to pull the feathers out of its fellow- 

 prisoners, and it even tried this in the case of a 

 song-thrush, but was successfully repelled. It 

 escaped out of doors several times, but always 

 returned without being sought for. 



