THE BLUE TIT. 53 



home. As among raptorial birds we observe the little merlin 

 possessed of more spirit and courage than the large and more 

 powerful eagles, in like manner, among the perching birds, 

 we find the blue tit to be one of those possessed of such indo- 

 mitable courage as at once to give it victory over its grosser 

 antagonists. 



It is during winter that we have the best opportunities for 

 observing most of the species comprised in the family of Pa- 

 rinse ; although to be seen in gardens, orchards, and planta- 

 tions during all seasons, yet when deprived of their usual 

 food by the rigours of winter, they are forced for sustenance 

 to our immediate vicinity. Thus we see the present species 

 pick up a living in the centre of large cities, or in the country, 

 boldly disputing with the poultry of the farmyard for the 

 possession of a tit-bit. 



Its food consists of insects, larvae, and seeds, but when in, 

 the neighbourhood of the farm it becomes adapted to circum- 

 stances, and even lowers its woodland taste so far as to relish 

 the good things of civilized life. Indeed, we have at times 

 surprised it picking a bone, and it appeared more glad than 

 otherwise, as if affording us an idea in what artistic manner 

 such things are executed by a coxcombical " blue stocking." 



Such preference does it exhibit for this fare, that the cele- 

 brated Gilbert White, during his youth, remembers catching 

 twenty in a morning in snap mouse-traps baited with suet. 

 During spring the great portion of its sustenance is obtained 

 by destroying aphides and other insects, which exist in the 

 buds, principally of the apple-tree. For these services the 

 harmless bluebonnet is badly repaid. The gardener becomes 

 furious at seeing his blossoms destroyed, and at once writes 

 to some Farmers' Gazette about the best means of destroying 

 tomtits alas ! for natural history. The editor humours his 

 correspondent, and at once suggests a method short, sharp, 

 and decisive, to exterminate these troublesome little vermin. 

 Again, it is arraigned for cruelty, acts of piracy, &c. &c., 

 and accused of killing small birds by splitting their skulls ! 

 And horrible ye bee-keepers u Bluebonnet" stands sentry 

 at the entrance of your apiary, and destroys the contents of 

 whole hives ! 



Certainly, we confess our total ignorance of any of those 

 heinous charges, and believe the locality must be barren and 

 desolate indeed not to afford a profusion of other food with- 

 out deranging the contents of their stomachs by a meal of 

 birds and bees. 



The nest is generally placed in a chink, or hole in a wall or 



