212 OrR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



insects which they consume, place them rather 

 on the list of benefactors to the garden, than 

 on that of depredators. One charge against the 

 greater titmouse appears to be correct, which is, 

 that it destroys bees ; on which account it is called 

 Croque aheiUe in some country places in France. It 

 is said to watch the bees, and consume large num- 

 bers. It eats also grain and berries, and some 

 oleaccinous seeds, which it will hold down with its 

 feet upon the branch, and by striking with the 

 hard bill, will pierce the shell, and extract the 

 kernel. The greater titmouse is the largest 

 European species, and is courageous and even 

 ferocious in its habits. None of our small birds 

 will attack the owl with so much spirit as this 

 tit, whicli will dart at him with the greatest rage, 

 with rutiled plumes, and noisy shrieks, the cries 

 resounding through the air, and calling many 

 other birds of its own species to its assistance. 



It shares, too, with the shrikes and crows the 

 appetite for flesh, and will eat dead birds, and, 

 when in confinement, kill living ones. 



This active restless bird is very common in 

 thick woods in the neighbourhood of gardens. In 

 winter it approaches our dwellings, to look for the 



