THE TIT. 179 



and Blue Tit, and also the Coal Tit, from the 

 wood to the cornyard, garden, and steading. 

 In the early spring the Oxeye and the Blue Tit 

 may be seen in the orchard and garden hunting 

 for insects on the fruit trees. These birds are 

 charged with destroying the buds, but that is not 

 out of mischief, but to get the larvae or insect 

 lurking therein. In this they are doing good 

 work, but gardeners don't see it. Mudie, in the 

 "Feathered Tribes of the British Islands," re- 

 ferring to this, says : "The larvae of these lurking 

 moths not only do mischief themselves, but are 

 the cause of mischief being done by others. The 

 injury which they do to the young buds, in the 

 very cores of which they fatten, gradually brings 

 on that languid action in the tree, in consequence 

 of which the influence of the sun, that in 

 healthy plants would bring out a rich and luxu- 

 riant foliage, induces a saccharine condition of 

 the sap which fosters the congregating cater- 

 pillars, so that they appear upon the trees in 

 swarms, secure during the day in their silken 



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