216 CLASS AVES. 



little exercises that are taught to the goldfinch, such as 

 rowing, drawing water, &c. and does not exhibit less address 

 and docility. If it be desired to preserve these birds, they 

 should not receive their seed without being bruised, for the 

 labour of crushing it always makes them grow thin, and often 

 brings on death, or, at least, blindness. They are not nice 

 in their food, and will easily accommodate themselves to any 

 thing. A paste, composed of hashed meat, crumbs of bread, 

 and pounded hempseed, suits them very well. Suet may be 

 added to this, of which they are so very fond, that it is used 

 as a bait in the various snares which are laid for them. 



Though so fierce in disposition, the great titmice are 

 attached to the society of their consimilars. In autumn they 

 migrate in little flocks, more or less numerous. A flock is 

 usually composed of the individuals of the same family. 

 They begin to pair from the month of January, and as soon 

 as each has chosen his companion, the couples isolate them- 

 selves. This union appears indissoluble, for the male and 

 female do not quit each other during life. The male is heard 

 to sing during the fine days in autumn, but never puts forth 

 the full compass of his voice but in spring. Independently 

 of his song, he has two peculiar cries ; one, from some fancied 

 resemblance to the grinding of a file or bolt, has gained him 

 the name of serrurier, in some parts of France. 



From the earliest days of March, this bird fixes its nest in 

 the hollow of some tree, but seldom in a wall. The male and 

 female work together at its construction, and compose it of 

 soft and pliant materials. They particularly employ plenty 

 of feathers. The eggs are from nine to fourteen in number, 

 white, and spotted with clear reddish, especially towards the 

 thick end. The male partakes the incubation, which lasts 

 twelve days. The little ones, when disclosed, remain longer 

 with the eyes shut than other birds, opening them when the 

 feathers begin to point, and about fifteen days after birth they 

 quit the nest. All do not abandon their cradle, however, at 



