ORDER PASSEUES. ^15 



The great titmouse, like its congeners, is lively, petulant, 

 and continually in motion ; it clears the buds, &c. of the little 

 worms which harbour in them ; destroys the eggs of butter- 

 flies, and feeds on caterpillars ; it searches out, under mosses 

 and lichens, the larvae and small insects concealed there. 

 Such are the services which this bird renders us ; but on the 

 other hand, it destroys an immense number of bees, more 

 especially when it is rearing its young ones. From this 

 circumstance it has acquired, in some provinces of France, 

 the name of croque abeilles. 



This species delights in large woods and thickets, in 

 coppices and orchards ; it is also found on lofty mountains, 

 in extensive plains, on arid soils, and in verdant meadows — in 

 short, wherever it can procure a suitable aliment. Besides 

 insects, it lives on various grains, on hemp-seed, and even 

 nuts and almonds ; the latter it places between its little 

 claws, pierces them with its bill, and very dexterously extracts 

 the substance. It also attacks small birds, when sick, or 

 entangled, not sparing even its own species under such circum- 

 stances ; and, opening the cranium with its bill, it picks out 

 the brain. It must not, therefore, when kept in captivity, 

 be placed in an aviary with other birds, for it will incessantly 

 pursue and kill them ; even among its own species combats 

 will take place, and some individuals be devoured by others. 

 If a great titmouse be for some time alone, it will not suffer 

 others to partake of its domicile; it will precipitate itself 

 on the new-comers, and employ all the resources of its address 

 and courage to give them the law. If they do not submit, 

 it either falls itself or kills them, and feeds on the brain : 

 these birds, however, do not become so cruel and voracious 

 except when in \v^ant of food. 



Notwithstanding all this, the titmouse soon grows familiar 

 Avith its prison, and may be tamed to such a degi'ee, as to 

 come and eat out of the hand. It learns willingly all those 



