COLE TITMOUSE. 
173 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. 
PARI DM. 
PLATE LXXIX, 
COLE TITMOUSE. 
Pabus ater. 
This species is the smallest of the British Titmice, and 
one of the most lively and familiar. It is of frequent occur¬ 
rence, and widely distributed throughout the northern hemi¬ 
sphere. It is generally to be seen at all seasons, but in the 
winter especially it may be observed, as at that time it ap¬ 
proaches nearest to inhabited dwellings, and may be seen 
among the leafless trees around them, busily searching for 
its food. 
The Cole Titmouse is distributed over Europe, Northern 
Asia, and North America, as far north as vegetation exists in 
the form of trees; it is common in Sweden, Russia, France, 
and Germany, as well as in our own country. With us 
these birds are indigenous, but like most others of their kind, 
their numbers are increased in the autumn by migratory 
flights from the north, impelled by change of season and 
consequent want of subsistence. These return again in the 
month of March towards the north. These travellers are 
only on their progress during the day, skirting woods or 
thickets, where such are to be met with, and are seldom seen 
in open or unsheltered spots. 
The localities chosen by these birds are chiefly pine and 
fir forests and woods, both in hilly and in level country ; 
Scotch fir plantations they are especially fond of. They live 
VOL. II. 
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