BRITISH BIRDS. 2OI 



this kind are constructed with the most exquisite 

 art, and with materials of the utmost delicacy : 

 some species, with great sagacity, build them at 

 the extreme end of small branches projecting 

 over water, by which means they are effectually 

 secured from the attacks of serpents and the 

 smaller beasts of prey. 



These birds are very widely spread over both 

 the old and the new continent. They are every 

 where prolific, even to a proverb, laying a great 

 number of eggs, which they attend with great 

 solicitude, and provide for their numerous pro- 

 geny with indefatigable activity. 



All the Titmice are distinguished by short bills, 

 which are conical, a little flattened at the sides, 

 and very sharp-pointed ; by which they are ad- 

 mirably fitted by nature to pick up their prey, 

 which consists mostly of the eggs of insects, on 

 which they live all the winter season; the nostrils 

 are small and round, and generally covered by 

 short bristly feathers, reflected from the forehead; 

 the tongue seems as if cut off at the end, and ter- 

 minated by short filaments; the toes are divided 

 to their origin ; the back toe is very large and 

 strong. 



VOL i. 2 c 



