Blue Titmouse. 171 



60. BLUE TITMOUSE (Parus cceruleus). 



Commonly called the 'Tom Tit,' and as well known by its 

 blue cap and pert appearance as by its lively active habits. 

 Like the Great Tit, its efforts are directed not against the buds 

 and blossoms, with which it is so often charged, but against 

 the larvse and eggs of the insect tribe, which are therein 

 deposited in incredible quantities, and which these useful little 

 birds seek out and consume. It is, for its size, the most 

 bold and pugnacious of the feathered race, and will attack 

 and sometimes kill birds much larger and heavier than itself. 

 It is known to village boys as ' Billy Biter,' from the severe 

 bite or pinch with which it will punish the fingers of the 

 incautious lad who seeks to take its nest from the hole of some 

 tree. In Norfolk it is popularly called ' Pick-cheese.' The Blue 

 Tit is remarkable even among the Titmice for the singular and 

 even grotesque attitudes it assumes in seeking its insect prey, 

 now hanging head downwards, now scrambling underneath a decid 

 branch, as if it were walking on a ceiling, and with its tiny but 

 strong bill chipping off a fragment of the loose dead bark.* In 

 France it is Mesange bleue ; in Germany, Blaumeise ; in Sweden, 

 Bld-mes, equivalent to our ' Blue Titmouse ;' but in Italy it is 

 Cinciallegra piccola, and in Portugal Cedovem pequeno, as it 

 were Parus minor. It is so constantly before our eyes that I 

 need say no more of its appearance or habits, 



61. COAL TITMOUSE (Parus ater). 



Not so common as the two last species, but generally dis- 

 tributed, and of similar habits. It closely resembles in appear- 

 ance the Marsh Tit, next to be described, both having black 

 heads, white cheeks, and grayish olive- green backs ; but the 

 Coal Titmouse may at once be recognised by the irregular white 

 patch at the back of its neck, which is totally wanting in the 

 Marsh Tit. In France it is called Mesange petite Charbonniere, 

 the Great Tit bearing the title of Mesange Charbonniere; in 

 * ' Gamekeeper at Home,' p. 79. 



