292 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



for there, sure enough, he is dexterously searching 

 for the lurking insects and uttering his strong 

 Spring song at the same time." 



" I have a splendid sight of him. What a lovely 

 creature, to be sure, in his green back and gorgeous 

 black and yellow waistcoat, but how restless he is." 



" Yes," I replied, " all the Tits are very restless 

 birds; it is one of their chief characteristics, for 

 they always seem occupied searching for insects 

 and their larvae, on which for the most part they 

 entirely feed." 



" Then they do a considerable amount of 

 good ? " queried my friend. 



" Undoubtedly," I replied, " they are some of 

 the best feathered friends which the fruit-grower 

 possesses, killing and devouring thousands of 

 obnoxious insects." 



" I see another small bird in yonder Oak; what 

 is that species ? " 



" That is a Coal Tit. You will notice it is not 

 nearly so gaudily attired as the two other Titmice 

 we have noticed already, having a black head and 

 sombre brownish plumage generally. It is to be 

 distinguished from the Marsh Tit by the white 

 nape." 



" I see," put in my companion, " and shall we 

 also see the Marsh Tit, and what of the Long- 

 tailed Tit that I have heard of? " 



'' We may perchance see both species," I 



