310 cassell's book of birds 



three-quarters long and nine inches broad ; the wing measures two inches and three-quarters, and the 

 tail two inches and a half. The female is a trifle smaller than her mate. This common Tit is found 

 throughout Europe from sixty-five degrees north latitude (in the southern part it is comparatively 

 rarer), and in the whole of Central Asia, and North-western Africa. Unlike the species above 

 described, these birds have no especial predilection for forests, but constantly occupy woods, shrub- 

 beries, and gardens, and not unfrequently farm-yards, where they are found to grow very bold in their 

 endeavours to obtain subsistence. 



The summer food of the Great Tit consists of insects, together with the buds of trees and fruits, 

 to these it adds the crumbs scattered from the cottage door, of whatever matters they chance to 

 consist, whether animal or vegetable, its digestive powers being apparently adapted to great variety. 

 On the approach of spring it becomes noisy and restless, betaking itself to the top branches of high 

 trees, where it utters its harsh note for the day together ; the note greatly resembles the noise made 

 by filing a saw, or the creaking of a gate on rusty hinges. The song of this bird, which is composed 

 of three distinct notes, would be agreeable were it not for the introduction of occasional harsh 

 grating tones, as they hop nimbly about the branches in search of food. During the breeding season 

 the performance is somewhat more pleasing, and the voice is in many respects not unlike that of 

 the Chaffinch. 



" The Great Tit," says Mr. Yarrell, " will frequently kill small birds, accomplishing his purpose 

 by repeated blows with his sharp beak on the skull of the victim, and afterwards picking out and 

 eating the brains. Though more truly a feeder on insects, the Great Tit, unlike insectivorous birds in 

 general, does not migrate, but remains all the year round in the same district, apparently unaffected 

 by the very different temperature of Italy as compared with Russia, and the species is known to be 

 constantly resident in both countries. In England the Great Tit is seldom seen on bleak open 

 ground, but inhabits woods, the vicinity of gardens, or other enclosed and sheltered situations in 

 summer, where it occasionally feeds on small seeds. In winter it approaches nearer the habitations 

 of men, and may be seen in hard weather closely examining the thatch of old buildings in search of 

 the many small flies that harbour there. As the Great Tit is an early breeder, the lively chirping 

 notes of the males are heard early in February ; sometimes this bird produces a sound which has 

 been considered to resemble the noise made in sharpening a saw ; and, though this is small praise, 

 his notes are more remarkable for vivacity and frequent repetition than for quality of tone. The 

 nest, formed of moss and lined with hair and feathers, is usually placed in the hollow of a tree, or a 

 hole in a wall. The deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie is sometimes chosen. Several observers 

 have recorded the partiality so frequently evinced by this species to build its nest in or about any old 

 unused wooden pump, and the mass of materials collected on such occasions wherewith to construct 

 it. The eggs are from six to nine in number, nine lines and a half in length and seven lines in 

 breadth ; white, spotted and speckled with pale red." 



" Rusticus," of Godalming, has given an amusing account of the behaviour of one of this species 

 which came under his observation : — " The next object of attention was a Titmouse of the large black- 

 headed kind, swinging himself about like a rope-dancer, and whistling out his sing-song just like a 

 fellow sharpening a saw. To my surprise the gentleman entered an old Magpie's nest, to which 

 I had paid frequent friendly visits during the previous spring ; he immediately came out again and 

 jumped about, sharpening his saw as before. One might almost as well handle a hedgehog as a 

 Magpie's nest ; in this instance some cuttings of gooseberry bushes, skilfully woven into an arch above 

 it, rendered it rather more untempting than usual. I was meditating how to commence the attack, 

 when another Tit flew out in a great choler, and rated me as though I had already robbed her. 

 After a good deal of trouble, during which the slender fir-top was swinging about with me in the 



