262 



BLYTH ON BRITISH T ITS. 



There is also a strong moveable spine inserted near the termination of the tarsus 

 of each posterior leg on the under side, which curves upwards at its extremity, and 

 exhibits a slight irregularity of outline at its superior surface. The function 

 performed by these spines is an important one. By the contraction of their flexor 

 muscles they are drawn towards the foot, and are thus brought in immediate oppo- 

 sition to the claws, by which means the animal is enabled to hold with a firm grasp 

 such lines as it designs to attach itself to. Now, as the spines and the spinning 

 apparatus are the most efficient instruments employed by the geometric spiders for 

 the purpose of suspension, it is obvious why they usually direct their heads down- 

 wards w r hen they occupy the centre of their nest. 



" As several difficulties presented themselves in the prosecution of these 

 researches, occasioned chiefly by the impracticability of comprising all the claws in 

 one distinct view ; and as I have not yet succeeded in procuring instruments of 

 sufficient delicacy to enable me to accomplish the dissection of exceedingly minute 

 objects under the microscope, I cannot completely satisfy myself at present, 

 whether the number and arrangement of the additional claws are uniformly the 

 same on the feet of such spiders as I have ascertained to be supplied with them ; 

 though as regards the larger species I am thoroughly convinced that this is the 

 case, and I have reason to think that it will ultimately prove to be so with the 

 rest."— p. 477. 



ON THE BRITISH TITS. 



BY EDWARD BLYTH. 



I know of no small birds, whose general manners are more amusing 

 than those of the various Tits (Pants) : their restless activity, the 

 neatness of their form and plumage, the lightness and rapidity of their 

 movements, and the grotesque and beautiful attitudes which they so 

 constantly assume, cannot but arrest the attention of every lover 

 of nature, and must be familiar to all who have ever resided in the 

 country. Bold and fearless in the winter season, they approach our 

 dwellings, gleaning a few morsels from the various refuse of the 

 house : troops of them are seen in every hedge, and their notes are 

 heard enlivening every tree ; the different kinds congregate together, 

 and their various calls and sprightly manners tend much to break 

 the monotony of a winter scene. Familiar, however, to every body, as 

 are the habits of these pretty little birds when wild, there are compa- 

 ratively but very few who have had the curiosity to keep them in con- 

 finement, and perhaps a short description of their manners in the cage 

 will not here be considered uninteresting. 



First, however, let me specify what birds I mean by the different 

 species of Par us ; for the Bearded Tit, [Calainophilus biarmicus,' 



