248 TITMOUSE. 



passing- to the hindhead; which, as well as the hind part of the neck, 

 is black, and continued in a line of black to the bill, bounding- the 

 lower part of the white on the sides of the head ; back yellowish 

 green; wing coverts blue ; quills black, with dusky edges ; tail blue, 

 the two middle feathers the longest, the outer edges of all pale ; 

 under parts of the body yellowish white ; legs black, or lead-colour. 



The male and female are much alike. 



This beautiful Species, called by some the Nun, and Hickmall, 

 is common in England, as well as throughout Europe, extending to 

 the more southern latitudes of Russia, but not in any part of Siberia ; 

 thought to be very destructive in gardens and orchards, by biting off 

 the buds of the blossoms, in search of insects, yet, as Albin says, 

 may be useful in destroying young caterpillars, and eggs, which 

 might afterwards destroy the fruit.* It makes the nest in the hollows 

 of walls and trees; said to lay more than twenty eggs, yet we have 

 never been able to ascertain more than half that number ; the nest 

 is composed of moss, lined with feathers, or hair; the number of 

 eggs most frequently eight, white, speckled with rust-colour at the 

 larger end, the weight of each seventeen grains ;f said to forsake the 

 nest if the eggs are touched, but when the young are hatched, no 

 bird defends them more"' courageously ; for on such occasions, the 

 female will suffer herself to be taken, rather than quit her abode, 

 and has been known to return to the nest again, after being taken 

 out, hissing like a snake, and biting with great energy. It has no 

 song, but a shrill note, quickly repeated, and known by every one ; 

 it now and then, indeed, attempts to warble, but it is far from 

 pleasing : it is a general feeder, insects, corn, especially oats, and 

 animal food in every state ; in search of the latter, will often be seen 

 in the butchers shops, in the winter, and may be caught in the 

 gardens, by a trap baited with fat meat, or suet. 



* See Observations on the Depredations of Insects on Fruit Trees, by Mr. J. Haskins, 

 a Country Gardener. — Bath Agricult. Soc.'ix. Id. Abridg. V. ii. p. 98. 99. In this the 

 Titmouse is stated to be the enemy of the insects, which are destructive to the blossoms of 

 apple trees, &c. -\ Orn. Diet. 



