The Great Titmouse. 



345 



soon as they are able to peck, give them a change of diet 

 gradually — flies, mealworms, or insects of any kind. When six 

 weeks old, they will partake of the same food as adult birds. 

 They must be supplied with fresh water daily, both for drinking 

 and bathing purposes, as they are partial to it, and it will keep 

 them in good health. The young birds before moulting are 

 much paler in colour than their parents. 



Distinguishing Maeks of Cock and Hen. — The females may 

 easily be distinguished from the males by the black stripe which 

 runs down the centre of the under part of the body. In the male 

 bird this extends from the neck to the vent, whereas in the 

 female it only extends part of the way down the abdomen, and 

 is narrower, and less distinct. The hens are smaller than the 

 cocks, and the colours of their plumage less vivid. 



Song. — The song of the Great Titmouse is meagre, and 

 wanting in variety. The voice is flexible, clear, and even pene- 

 trating, but the notes are few and disjointed, and resemble a 

 continuous chatter more than a song, and is apt to grate on the 

 senses rather than exhilarate them. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Select a bird in full 

 adult plumage, with a bright, deeply lustrous cap, collar, and 

 throat marking, and with clear, white cheeks ; the colour of the 

 back must be a pale rich olive green ; the breast, of a fine yellow 

 tint, with a distinct black line running down the centre ; the tail 

 and wings should be shaded with blue. The bird chosen must 

 be of good contour, compactly feathered, and with the tail and 

 wings closely and firmly braced. The exhibit must be in sound 

 health, and in good condition generally. 



General Remarks. — The Great Titmouse is much admired by 

 a large number of fanciers. It thrives well in a spacious cage, 

 which should be fitted with a wooden nest box, to roost in, 

 of the kind recommended for use in breeding hybrids {vide 

 pp. 52, 53). If moulted in a house for one or two consecutive 

 seasons, and kept in a properly constructed out-of-door aviary, 

 under favourable circumstances, these birds would no doubt 

 breed. As a change of diet when insect food is difficult to 

 procure, a little hard-boiled egg, chopped fine, and mixed with 

 breadcrumbs and a sprinkling of maw seed, will be found 

 beneficial, and, in most cases, highly appreciated by the birds. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — When kept in cages of 

 small dimensions these birds are very subject to cramp. They 



