464 BRITISH BIRDS. 



those of the Marsh-Tit and the Coal Tit^ which are also found across 

 Asia, the Great Tit differs from the two latter in the following remarkable 

 particulars. First, it scarcely varies at all in colour or dimensions, whilst 

 the two latter species may be subdivided into numerous local races, 

 differing slightly from each other both in colour and dimensions. Second, 

 it appears to be specifically distinct from its tropical and semitropical 

 allies, which in the other species are more or less connected by intermediate 

 forms. And third, the range of the tropical form of the Great Tit extends 

 much further south than that of the tropical forms of the other species. 



The Great Tit is rarely seen except in well-wooded or cultivated districts. 

 Plantations and shrubberies, where deciduous trees and dense underwood 

 occur, in addition to evergreens, are its favourite haunts ; but it also 

 frequents open woods, copses, orchards, and gardens. Like the other 

 Tits, the Great Tit may be tempted close to the houses in winter by hang- 

 ing out a bone or a lump of suet, or even a tallow candle, upon which it feeds 

 eagerly, and where its habits may be watched at leisure. It is a lively bird ; 

 and the attitudes it assumes in searching for its food are almost esidless. 

 The best time to observe it is in winter, when the trees and shrubs are 

 bare, and when it is often found in little parties — although in this respect 

 this bird is not perhaps quite so gregarious as its congeners. If you 

 wander out into the fields and woods on a winter's morning, or even stroll 

 into the orchard, the sharp unmistakable note of the " Oxeye," as it is 

 often called, will most probably be the first sign of bird-life you notice. 

 The bird itself is in some bare and leafless tree, sprightly and active in 

 spite of the cold and snow, searching for its food amongst the buds and 

 twigs. You may notice how deftly it poises upon the extremity of a dead 

 limb, and may hear its little taps at the bark, as it dislodges some insect 

 from the crevices. But it is ever in motion ; and after a moment's pause 

 it probably flits with undulating flight to another tree, where its actions 

 may possibly remind you of those of the Creeper; for it clings to the bark 

 on the trunk, though it does not run up it as the latter bird is in the habit 

 of doing. Ever and anon its sharp notes may be heard ; and its restless 

 natui'e soon sends it to another tree, perhaps a birch. In addition to the 

 insects which it finds on the leaves, the bird also picks out the small seeds 

 of this graceful tree, and very often to obtain them hangs suspended from 

 a drooping spray, all the time swaying backwards and forwards like a 

 pendulum. Now it is head downward; a moment after it is upright; 

 then clinging to the twigs with its back towards the ground and its head 

 thrust forward. In a word, it assumes every attitude that it is possible for 

 a bird to take, and seems equally at home in them all. No wonder it is 

 a great favourite with the lover of bird-life. By the gardener, however 

 it is too often considered an enemy ; for its visits to the fruit-trees in 

 spring often lead to the destruction of many promising buds. But the 



