40 BRITISH BIRDS. 



GENUS XXI. PARUS, Linnaeus (1766). 



Bill moderate, strong, straight and rather conical. 



Wings with ist. quill short, 4th or 5th longest. Tail 



moderate, nearly even. Tarsus moderate ; feet strong ; 

 claws curved. 



49. Parus major, Linn. GREAT TITMOUSE. 



Hab. Europe, north to Arctic Circle in Norway ; also 

 Siberia south of lat. 58 N., and N. Africa, Asia Minor and 

 Persia. 



Male : head black, excepting cheeks and ear-coverts 

 which are white ; nape yellowish green with a whitish spot 

 in centre ; mantle olive-green ; rump and wing-coverts 

 blue-grey ; greater coverts with white tips ; quills dark 

 brown with greenish margins ; tail-feathers dusky, outer 

 pair with white margins ; throat, and a broad stripe down 

 centre of breast and belly, black ; sides dull yellow ; under 

 tail-coverts whitish ; bill black ; feet slate. Length 5 '50. 

 Female : duller, with a less distinct belly-stripe. 



Common everywhere. Nest : placed in holes in trees, 

 or in many curious situations, such as gate-posts, holes 

 in walls, nests of larger birds, inverted flower-pots, etc. ; 

 consists of moss and grass with a cup-shaped lining of hair, 

 wool and feathers. Eggs : 5 to 8 ; white, with spots and 

 blotches of pale red; size "70 by "54. Two broods are 

 produced, first eggs being laid in April. The" loud, clear 

 song has been well-imitated in the birds' local name of 

 sit-ye-down, the three notes being repeated several times 

 in quick succession. Alarm note a loud rattling chee, 

 chee, chee. In winter it roves through the woods in 

 small parties. I have heard it tapping on old trees 

 like a Woodpecker and it will sometimes bore in decayed 

 wood for insects. 



