CHAPTER LV 



THE SMAliiEK BIBDS 



ALMOST all the smaller birds are helpful to us 

 in protecting the fruits of the earth from the 

 ravages of insects. Their services deserve to be re- 

 corded in a long and detailed history, but time for 

 that is lacking and we must confine ourselves to brief 

 mention of a few of these valiant caterpillar-destroy- 

 ers. 



"The titmouse, or tomtit, is a small bird full of 

 life and showing a petulant humor. Always in ac- 

 tion, it flits from tree 

 to tree, examines the 

 branches with minute par- 

 ticularity, perches on the 

 swaying end of the frail- 

 est twig, where it clings 

 persistently even though 

 hanging head downward, 

 accommodating itself to 

 the oscillations of its 

 flexible support without once relaxing its clutch or 

 ceasing its scrutiny of the worm-infested buds, 

 which it tears open in order to get at the enclosed 

 vermin and insect-eggs. 

 "It is calculated that a tomtit rids us of three 



300 



Tufted Titmouse 



