3 
it is common, and resident. Bailly says that it is “‘ sedentary in Savoy, though not so numerous 
as the other species.” Doderlein states that it 1s extremely abundant in the province of Modena, 
breeding in the wooded hills, and descending to the plains in autumn as soon as the cold weather 
begins. He adds that in Sicily it is resident throughout the year, being abundant in the olive- 
plantations &c. during winter, and ascending to the wooded districts on the approach of warm 
weather, although some remain to breed in the Villa Favorita, near Palermo. In Sardinia it is 
common, and resident. Lord Lilford states that it is very abundant and breeds in Spain generally— 
being more common in winter in the southern part of the country, according to Major Irby. The 
latter gentleman writes to us as follows:—‘‘ Very common, particularly in the cork wood of 
Almoraima, nesting in the holes and in the decayed branches of the cork-trees. I did not observe 
this species on the African side of the Straits, where it appears to be replaced by P. teneriffw.” 
It is also common in Portugal, according to Professor Barboza du Bocage. Von Homeyer states 
that it occurs in the Balearic isles. Regarding its supposed occurrence in Malta, Mr. C. A. 
Wright says that Dr. Gulia was evidently mistaken in stating, in his remarks on the natural 
history of this island, that this bird arrives there in great numbers during the spring migration. 
Lord Lilford found the Blue Titmouse common and resident in Corfu and Epirus; and 
Lindermayer says that large numbers winter in the southern provinces of Greece, returning in 
the spring to the wooded mountains in the north to breed. Mr. Robson writes to us from 
Ortakeuy :—“'This species is generally distributed and a constant resident in European and 
Asiatic Turkey, is abundant and more numerous than the Great Titmouse. It is also found in 
cities and villages, where it builds its nest in holes of walls, old trees, &c. and is often seen in 
gardens actively engaged in searching the branches and trunks of trees for insects. It is most 
numerous in woods where the alder, hazel, and oak abound, and is but seldom seen in bare 
mountain-districts, except where a moderate proportion of wood exists; they congregate in 
winter, and travel over wide areas in search of insect food.” Von Nordmann says it is found in 
the Caucasus, in Volhynia, and in Podolia, and is occasionally seen, during migration, in the 
gardens near Odessa. Mrs. Strickland kindly informs us that in the Strickland collection is a 
specimen of the present species obtained by her late husband in Anatolia. Dr. Royland remarks 
that it is ““common in the wooded districts near the village of Havancore, in Asia Minor.” 
Messrs. Dickson and Ross procured it at Erzeroom, where it was “noticed from the 17th of 
February to the 7th of April. Some were seen at Tortoone in February.” During his journey 
in Persia Defilippi found it nesting in gardens at Kazvin. 
Respecting the habits of this Titmouse in Germany we cannot do better than translate the 
following extracts from Naumann’s most excellent work :—“ It is to some extent a true migrant, 
partly a straggler, and partly a resident. In the early summer it lives in pairs, afterwards in 
families; and in the autumn they collect in large flocks, but seldom in such numbers as the Coal 
Titmice. The latter half of September and the early part of October is their true time of 
migration, and then large numbers may be seen on some days journeying quickly from east to 
west. They travel in the daytime, especially in the forenoon, and sometimes as late as one or 
two o'clock in the afternoon. They follow along the course of the woods, bushes, and rows of 
trees, working to the south and west as far as they can, and one can see how much they dislike 
to pass through open spaces. The whole restless flock hop about the branches of the last tree, 
i! 
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eded 
