174 
PARID.E, 
in pairs, and are generally seen in the tops of the trees while 
the weather is mild. During cold and wet w'eather they 
come down upon the ground, and visit gardens and orchards, 
where they may be seen in numbers during autumn and 
winter. 
The habits of the Cole Titmouse much resemble those of 
the other species, being always in motion in search of food, 
which consists of seeds, particularly those of the fir-tribe, and 
insects. They may be seen searching about in all the 
crevices of the stems and branches, to the tips of which they 
hang themselves; and the cones are investigated very closely. 
These birds are also very fond of the seeds contained in ser¬ 
vice berries. Caterpillars and large insects they trample 
under their feet, before they begin to feed upon them; the 
smaller insects they consume entire, as well as the eggs and 
larvae. When they obtain a seed from the cone of a fir-tree 
they carry it to a convenient branch, where they take the 
kernel out of it while holding the pod with their claws. 
They are also very skilful on the ground in searching for 
the seeds of the pine, &c. Where they find plenty of these 
seeds, they are said to hoard them up, and secrete them 
behind the bark of trees, or in crevices in the wood, and 
fetch them out when they are in want; and this is most 
probably the case, as it accords with their manners when 
caged, when they have been seen to hide a portion of their 
food, and frequently to look whether it was still where they 
put it. 
The flight of this species is unsteady, and resembles much 
that of the other Titmice, fluttering with their wings in the 
manner of a moth. 
The nest of the Cole Titmouse is always placed in a shel¬ 
tered position; sometimes it occupies a hole in a decayed 
tree, at a little elevation from the ground ; sometimes it is 
found in a deserted mouse or mole-hole, or in a hole in a 
