512 



TOMTIT. 



is seldom extended quite so high as the first, and neither of them are 

 arried quite to the brim of the nest ; the birds thinking it enough to 

 bring their masonry near to the twisted band of grass which forms the 

 mouth. The whole wall, when finished, is not much thicker than 

 pasteboard, and, though hard, tough, and water-tight, is more warm 

 and comfortable than at first view might appear, and admirably calcu- 

 lated for protecting the eggs or young from the bleak winds which 

 prevail in the early part of the spring, when the song thrush breeds. 1 * 



TIDLEY GOLDFINCH.— A name for the Golden-crested Wren. 



TIDLEY.— A name for the Wren. 



TINKER'S HUE.— A name for the Guillemot, 



TIPPET GREBE.— The young of the Gaunt. 



TIT (ParuS) Linnaeus.) — Agenus of Perchers (Insessores, Vigors.) 



TITLARK.— A name for the Meadow Pipit. 



TITLING. — A name for the Meadow Pipit and Hedge Chaunter. 

 TITMOUSE.— A popular name for the Tits. 

 TOMMY or TAMMY NORIE. — A name for the Coulterneb. 

 TOMTIT (Parus cceruleus, Ray.) 



*Parus caeruleus, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 341. 5. — Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 1008. — Rail, Syn. p. 

 74. A. 4.— Will. p. 175. t. 43.— Lath, Ind. Orn. 2. p. 566. 12.— Brits. 3. p. 



544. 2 lb. 8vo. 1. p. 462.— Blaumeise, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 3. p. 860.— 



Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 1. 269. — Frisch, 14. — La Mesange bleue, Buff. Ois. 



5. p. 413 Blue Titmouse, Br. Zool. 1. No. 163. t. 57. f. 2.— Ib. fol 114. t. 



W. f. 5.— Aret. Zool. 2. p. 427. D. — Will. (Angl.) p. 242. t. 43.— Albin, 1. t. 

 47 — Haye's Br. Birds, t. 38.— Lath. Syn. 4. p. 543. 10.— Don. Br. Birds, t. 

 57.— Lewin's Br. Birds, 3. t. 120.- Wale. Syn. 2. t. 245.— Pult. Cat. Dorset, 

 p. 10.— Flem. Br. Anim. p. 80.— Selby, pi. 51. fig. 2. p. 228.— Bewick's Br. 

 Birds, 1. p. 237. 



Provincial. — Blue Whaup. Nun. Hickwall. Blue Bonnet. 

 Blue Cap. Billy Biter.* 



Length about four inches and a half ; weight three drams. The bill 

 is dusky ; irides dark hazel ; forehead and cheeks white ; that on the 

 former inclines backwards, and forms a line round the crown of the 

 head, which is of a fine blue ; behind the circle of white is another of 

 a deep blue, surrounding the head entirely, and joining the base of the 

 under mandible, where it is nearly black ; from the bill through the 

 eye is a small black line ; the back is of a yellowish green ; wings and 

 tail blue ; breast and belly yellow ; legs lead-colour. 



This bird would be much more admired for its beauty if it were less 

 common. In winter it frequents houses for the sake of plunder ; will 

 devour flesh greedily, whether fresh or putrid ; and indeed is omni- 

 vorous. It is a constant attendant where horse-flesh is kept for hounds, 



1 Architecture of Birds. Chap, on Mason Birds, p. 126. 



