202 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE GREAT TITMOUSE. 



OX-EYE. 



(Farm Major , Linn. JMcsaiigc charbonnttre, Temm.) 



THE length of this bird is about five inches. 

 The bill and eyes are black, the head is covered 

 apparently with a sort of hood, of a fine deep 

 glossy black, which extends to the middle of the 

 neck; cheeks white; belly greenish yellow, divided 

 down the middle by a line of black reaching to the 

 vent; the back is of an olive green; the rump 

 bluish grey; quills dusky, the greater edged with 

 white, the lesser with pale green ; the wing coverts 

 are of a bluish ash ; the greater coverts tipped with 

 white, w r hich forms a bar across the wings; the tail 

 is black, the exterior edge of the outer feathers 

 white ; legs dark lead colour ; claws black. 



The Titmouse begins to pair early in February; 

 the male and female consort for some time before 

 they make their nest, which is composed of the 

 softest and most downy materials. They build 

 generally in the hole of a wall or tree; and continue 



