Haunts. 
Food: 
Nest, &c- 
232 PASSERES. PARUS. Coie 
of the two preceding species in England, where its appear- 
ance is confined to woods and extensive plantations.—In Scot- 
land, I have found it abundantly in all the pine forests, which 
seem to be its appropriate and favourite habitat, to the com- 
parative exclusion of the other species. In these extensive 
tracks, covered by the natural growth of the country, or 
planted by the great landed proprietors, it has both a secure 
retreat, and a constant supply of food; consisting of the 
aphides, larvae, and others of the insect tribe, that are pecu- 
liar to the different species of fir, together with the seeds and 
berries of various evergreens. It is very lively in all its mo- 
tions, and rivals the blue titmouse in the attitudes it assumes ~ 
in quest of its prey, amid the higher branches of the pines. 
Its note is shriller and more pleasing than in the other spe- 
cies, and tends much to break the gloomy solitude of the 
tracts it frequents). Dr LatHam (in common with some 
other writers) appears to have doubted the specific distinction 
between the Cole and Marsh Titmouse, and inclines to the 
opinion that the latter is but the female of the former bird. 
I am persuaded that this erroneus supposition could only 
have been entertained by so distinguished a naturalist, from 
not having had the opportunity of seeing both the species in 
a living state, or of comparing their respective habits. ‘Their 
notes, and peculiar markings, differ from the earliest period 
of age *. 
The nest of the cole titmouse is usually built in the cavity 
of some decayed stump of a tree; but I have sometimes 
found it placed on the ground, in the entrance of a mouse or 
mole hole. It is formed of moss and wool, with a linmg of 
hair. The eggs are white, spotted with reddish-brown ; and 
in number from six to eight. 
This species occurs throughout Europe, particularly in 
parts abounding in forests of pine, and other evergreens. 
® See Montacu, who, in the second volume of the Ornith. Dict. has 
clearly exhibited the distinctive characters of the two species. 
