ORDER PASSERES. 219 



Some individuals migrate, while others are sedentary. The 

 migration takes place in September or October; and then 

 these birds are observed in considerable numbers. They 

 readily approach habitations, and frequent gardens. They 

 live on henipseed occasionally, and even make a provision of 

 it ; but not being able to break it, they pierce it with the 

 bill. They make war on wasps, bees, caterpillars, and other 

 insects ; easily give into snares, but do not live long in a 

 state of captivity. 



This species, extended throughout Europe, is more common 

 in the north. 



The Blue Titmouse is, of all the species, the most known 

 and the most common. It is spread throughout all Europe ; 

 and is met with on the coast of Africa, and in the Canary 

 Islands, with some little variation of plumage. 



Like all the rest of its tribe, this titmouse has a bright and 

 dark side in its character. It is useful in destroying an im- 

 mense number of caterpillars and insects' eggs, especially of 

 those insects which attack fruits. It is, however, injurious 

 in our orchards and gardens, by biting the tender buds. It 

 will even detach the fruit already formed, and carry it off. 

 It has the same relish for flesh as its other congeners ; and it 

 bites so exactly that of the little birds it can seize, that Klein 

 proposes to employ it in the preparation of skeletons. It 

 also likes hempseed, which it cracks, like the great tit- 

 mouse. It has been observed to exhibit more audacity than 

 the latter, and to attack the owl with greater bitterness. But 

 it is also more easily taken. 



The usual dormitory of the blue titmouse is a hollow tree, 

 or a hole in the wall : but it appears more careful than the 

 other titmice in the choice of its abode. It is generally in a 

 warmer situation in winter, and more elevated and difficult of 

 access in the summer. It has a very singular habit when 

 encaged ; if deprived of a place where it can conceal itself. 



