202 



BLUE TIT. 



BLUE-CAP. BLTTE-BONNBT. NUN. TOMTIT. BLUE MOPE. 

 BILLY-BITER, HICKMALL. 



Parus caruleus, MOXTAGU. BEWICK. SELUY. 



Parus ? Caruleus Blue azure. 



FROM the window of one of my studies, that in which, 

 'ubi quid datur' (or rather detur) 'oti,' the 'midnight oil' is 

 burned, by which 'illudo chartis' in plain English, in which 

 this work is written, I have almost daily opportunities of 

 watching the interesting actions of this pretty little bird, 

 w^hich I shall accordingly describe. 



The Blue Titmouse frequents the whole of Europe, except 

 the extreme north, but is found as far as Denmark, Norway, 

 Sweden, and the south of Russia; southwards, in Greece, 

 Holland, France, and Switzerland, as also, it is said, in the 

 Canary Islands; and in Asia in Japan, according to Tem- 

 minck. It is very common throughout England and Ireland, 

 as also in Scotland, except the extreme north. 



They are not migratory, but in or before hard weather 

 they move southwards, to escape the severity of the north, 

 returning when that cause is removed. In the autumn, after 

 the cares of bringing up a family are over, they often approach 

 nearer to houses and gardens, and may be seen on almost 

 every hedge. 



These birds are of a pugnacious disposition, and frequently 

 quarrel with their neighbours, as well as among themselves: 

 the Robin, however, is quite master of the field. Two were 

 once observed so closely engaged in combat, that they both 

 suffered themselves to be captured by a gentleman who saw 

 them. They are very bold and spirited, and are caught without 

 difficulty in traps. They often assail their enemy, the Hawk 



