354 



British Cage Birds. 



the female. The black markings on the breast of the cock 

 extend farther down, and are more decided, than those of the 

 hen. The resemblance in other respects is very great, and the 

 sexes are not easily determined, especially by amateurs and 

 inexperienced persons. 



Song. — The song of the Cole Titmouse is by no means 

 euphonious. It consists of very few notes, and these are 

 uttered in a harsh, irregular manner, with a refrain on the 

 note Tzit, tzit," repeated several times in succession. During 

 the period of incubation, however, the bird seldom sings, but is 

 noisy enough in the spring, before the pairing season com- 

 mences. 



Points to be Obseeved in Judqing. — Choose a well-propor- 

 tioned bird, with distinct and clearly-defined markings, with the 

 general colours pure and bright, and the plumage sleek, and 

 close-fitting to the body. The tail, wings, and feet, must all be 

 in good order, and free from any blemish. The bird must be in 

 prime condition, clean and plump, lively in its gait, steady on 

 the perch, and tractable. 



General Eemarks. — The Cole Titmouse might be induced to 

 breed in an out-of-door aviary, under favourable conditions. It 

 bears cold well, and needs no artificial heat in the hardest of 

 weather. Like all other Tits, it delights in a snug roosting- 

 place, and, when kept in an aviary, nothing suits it better than 

 a cocoa nut husk, which should be placed in a suitable corner. 

 This bird has been confounded with the Marsh Tit, but differs 

 from it both in appearance and habits, and is evidently a dis- 

 tinct variety of the same species. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — Cole Tits mostly die of 

 <}onsumption, caused by the want of a frequent change of diet 

 and a plentiful supply of insect food. If well attended to, they 

 are not particularly delicate, and, excepting during the moulting 

 period, rarely get out of order ; they must, however, have a 

 frequent change of diet, and be supplied with their- natural food, 

 especially whilst moulting, or they will soon pine away and 

 ■die. 



