CHAPTEE LYIII. 



The Blue Titmouse. 



Parus cceruleus, Lin. ; Mesange hleue, Buf. 



Description and Character. — This beautiful and interesting 

 bird, which is, perhaps, better known as the Tomtit, is, on 

 account of its social disposition and charming manner, greatly 

 esteemed. It rarely wanders far away from human habitations. 

 Even in the breeding season, when most birds exhibit a natural 

 sensitiveness and watchful jealousy, the Blue Tit seeks out a 

 quiet corner in a garden, orchard, or pleasure-ground attached 

 to a dwelling, generally not far distant from a town or village, 

 and there builds its nest, almost courting notice, and not show- 

 ing the slightest fear or timidity, even if the nest be looked 

 at when the mother is engaged incubating her eggs, or cherishing 

 her callow brood. 



The length of this bird is 41in., the tail being 2^in, The 

 bill is about fin. long, and blackish in colour, with the excep- 

 tion of the lips and extreme point, which are white. The iris 

 is dark brown, verging on black. On the top of the head is a 

 beautiful blue cap ; a dull white line passes across the forehead, 

 over the eyes, and round the back part of the head. The cheeks 

 and face are white ; a narrow stripe of black runs, parallel with 

 the eyes, from the base of the bill to the hind part of the 

 head. The lower part of the hind neck is black, fringed with 

 a narrow border of dullish white ; from this band a crescent- 

 shaped, narrow line of dark blue, extends to the throat. The 

 back is of that pale yellowish green known as Siskin green, the 

 feathers being very fine in texture and silky in appearance. 



