108 DARWINISM 



more vegetarian diet, eating seeds as well as insects, and 

 feeding on the ground as well as among trees. The delicate 

 little blue titmouse (Parus coeruleus), with its very small bill, 

 feeds on the minutest insects and grubs which it extracts 

 from crevices of bark and from the buds of fruit-trees. The 

 marsh titmouse, again (Parus palustris), has received its name 

 from the low and marshy localities it frequents ; while the 

 crested titmouse (Parus cristatus) is a northern bird frequenting 

 especially pine forests, on the seeds of which trees it partially 

 feeds. Then, again, our three common pipits — the tree-pipit 

 (Anthus arboreus), the meadow-pipit (Anthus pratensis), and the 

 rock-pipit or sea-lark (Anthus obscurus) have each occupied a 

 distinct place in nature to which they have become specially 

 adapted, as indicated by the different form and size of the 

 hind toe and claw in each species. So, the stone-chat (Saxicola 

 rubicola), the whin-chat (S. rubetra), and the wheat-ear (S. 

 cenanthe) are more or less divergent forms of one type, with 

 modifications in the shape of the wing, feet, and bill adapting 

 them to slightly different modes of life. The whin-chat is the 

 smallest, and frequents furzy commons, fields, and lowlands, 

 feeding on worms, insects, small molluscs, and berries ; the 

 stone-chat is next in size, and is especially active and lively, 

 frequenting heaths and uplands, and is a permanent resident 

 with us, the two other species being migrants ; while the 

 larger and more conspicuous wheat-ear, besides feeding on 

 grubs, beetles, etc., is able to capture flying insects on the 

 wing, something after the manner of true flycatchers. 



These examples sufficiently indicate how divergence of 

 character has acted, and has led to the adaptation of numerous 

 allied species, each to a more or less special mode of life, with 

 the variety of food, of habits, and of enemies which must 

 necessarily accompany such diversity. And when we extend 

 our inquiries to higher groups we find the same indications of 

 divergence and special adaptation, often to a still more marked 

 extent. Thus we have the larger falcons, which prey upon 

 birds, while some of the smaller species, like the hobby 

 (Falco subbuteo), live largely on insects. The true falcons 

 capture their prey in the air, while the hawks usually seize it 

 on or near the ground, feeding on hares, rabbits, squirrels, 

 grouse, pigeons, and poultry. Kites and buzzards, on the 



