IN GARDEN, PARK, AND SHRUBBERY. 41 



a tree, and less frequently in a wall ; and should 

 the entrance be too large, it is plastered up with 

 mud. A slight nest of dry grass and dead leaves, 

 or even only a few scraps of bark and powdered 

 wood, are the only bed for the eggs. These are 

 five to eight in number, pure white, spotted with 

 reddish brown and gray. If the first clutch be 

 removed, the hen-bird will lay again, apparently 

 little concerned at the repeated robbery. 



From the Nuthatch we pass to the Titmice. 

 Two species at least are commonly met with at 

 all seasons within the precincts of the garden, 

 the park, and the shrubbery. The best known of 

 these is the BLUE TITMOUSE (Parus cceruleus), widely 

 notable for the delicate azure blue of much of its 

 upper plumage ; the other species is the COAL Ditto. 

 TITMOUSE (P. ater, var. britannicus), distinguished 

 by his jet black head and white nape and cheeks. 

 Both birds are about the same size, and both may 

 be met with in similar localities. Each is famous 

 for its restless activity, for the endless variety of 

 attitudes assumed during its constant search for 

 food among the branches. Trees and shrubs 

 alike are visited ; every little nook and corner 

 comes under their prying scrutiny. Insects and 

 larvae are the food of these Titmice in summer ; 

 in winter this fare is largely supplemented by 

 seeds, notably of the birch and fir. Neither of 

 these birds possesses a song, yet the Coal Tit in 

 springtime oft strings its few harsh notes together 

 into what one might call a love trill. The usual 

 call-note of the Blue Titmouse is a more or less 

 harshly expressed chicka-chic-ka, kee-kee-kee, whilst 

 the most characteristic cry of the Coal Titmouse is 

 a clear if-hee-if hee-if-hee. Holes in trees and walls 



