NATURAL HISTORY. 251 



downwards, to my no small delight and admiration, draw 

 straws lengthwise from the eaves of thatched houses, in order 

 to pull out the flies that were concealed among them, and 

 tha.t in such numbers that they quite defaced the thatch, and 

 gave it a ragged appearance." 



The nest of this bird is built in a hole of a wall, or a 

 decayed tree, and in it are placed six or eight eggs, of a white 

 colour, spotted with reddish browii. The length of the bird 

 is about six inches. 



Coeruleus (Lat. blue], the Blue Titmouse. 



The little BLUE TITMOUSE is so well known as hardly to 

 require any description. It is most amusingly courageous, 

 and from the strenuous resistance it offers to its capturer, has 

 acquired from rustic boys the name of " Billy-biter." The 

 angry hiss of the female has frequently caused an intruding 

 hand to be rapidly withdrawn, for the sound is so exceedingly 

 like the hiss of an irritated snake, and the little beak is so 

 sharp, that few have the courage to proceed with their 

 investigations. A pair of these birds built their nest in the 

 coping of the Great Western Railway, at the Shrivenham 

 station, not two feet from the fiery and noisy engines, which 

 were constantly passing. The men respected the courage of 

 the little birds, and this whole brood was hatched, and suffered 

 to fly at liberty. 



The utter contempt which this bird entertains for fire- 

 arms often leads to its destruction, for when the disappointed 



