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THE BLUE TIT. 



Bluebonnet. Tomtit. 



Parus coeruleus, Linn. 



Is very common ; more so than any other of the genus, 

 in the island. 



Its lively and varied attitudes, as observed in the ordinary places of 

 resort, have often been described. In addition to the more common 

 haunts, this bird is met with as far up the sides of the moun- 

 tain glens as there is a little underwood for shelter. It feeds pretty 

 much on the highways, and occasionally builds in the walls of 

 town gardens. In winter, whether mild or otherwise, this species 

 is very partial to the reeds {Arundo phragmitis) fringing the river 

 Lagan near Belfast, where I have often been much interested in 

 observing numbers of them. The force of one coming against a 

 dead reed sways it almost to the surface of the water, in which the 

 base is immersed, but the titmouse nevertheless maintains its hold; 

 then hurrying to another, alights near its base and rapidly runs 

 up the stem to near the top, and almost dips in the river again : 

 the graceful bend of the reed adds much to the beauty of such a 

 scene. 



These birds are known to suffer considerably from the cold of 

 winter, to winch they are very sensible, even when kept in the 

 house. One at " the Falls," when let out of the cage in summer, 

 roosted upon the top : but in winter, although in a warm room, 

 selected the hottest place in which it could remain safely for the 

 night, namely, under the fender, a locality which afforded at the 

 same time sufficient space and shelter. This bird, from its familiarity 

 and vivacity, was most amusing. The cage was covered with close 

 netting, which it several times cut through, thereby effecting its 

 escape into the room. It then flew to the children, and having 

 taken hold of a piece of bread or cake in the hand of the youngest, 

 would not forego the object of attack, though shaken with the 

 greatest force the child could exert ; indeed, the latter was 

 so persecuted on one occasion for a piece of apple, that she 

 ran crying out of the apartment. It was particularly fond of 



