76 A CATALOGUE OP THE BIRDS 



91. Cole Titmouse.. P. atee, LinncBUs. 



Parus ater, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Bii'cls, Ed. 1847, I., 204. 

 Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed, 2, I., 369. 



!) M 



l^ot iincommon in wooded districts. A constant resident. 



On the 18tli of May, 1845, Mr. Thomas Eohson took a nest 

 of this species, which contained twenty-one eggs. I have seen 

 this nest, the eggs vary much, some heing strongly, others only 

 faintly, spotted. There can he little douht that here there have 

 heen layings of more than a single individual ; when taken, how- 

 ever, there was only one female on the nest. A nest of this 

 species in my collection contains eleven eggs, and one of the Blue 

 Titmouse contains twelve ; the usual numher is eight or nine. 

 It is probahle that, in such cases as the above (and they are not 

 uncommon), the eggs are the produce of more than one bird. 



I am informed by my fiiend, Mr. T. Thompson, that on more 

 occasions than one he has seen three of the Long-tailed Titmouse 

 occupying one nest. 



92. Blue Titmouse. P. c^eeuleus, LinncBus. 



Farus earuleus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 205. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 362. 



The most abundant of the genus, and, like the Grreat Titmouse, 

 it seeks the haunts of man in the winter season when pressed by 

 severe weather. It is a permanent resident.*' 



* The Crested Titmouse is recorded in Harliiig's " Handboulv of British Birds" as liaving: 

 occurred on Sunderland Moor, Durham. I liave made enquiry of Mr. William Proctor, 

 wlio drew up the list of birds in Ormsby's "Sketches of Durham," on which this record 

 is founded, find he gives me, in a reply,dated April 21, 1873, the following- information: — 

 "As regards the Crested Tit there is some mistake. 1 could not say that it came into my 

 hands; I might say that there had been three ov four seen by a person of the name of P. 

 Farrow, of Hilltop, who told mc that he had seen three or four Crested Tits in the Black 

 Crag, near Witton Gilhcrt. This is some twenty years ago. He went to get a gun, but 

 could not find them on his return. Farrow was a man who stuffed birds occasionally." 



There is a mistake as to the locality, and it must be obvious that such authority as tlie 

 .ibovc is insuflicicnt to establish the occurrence of a species in this district, 



