CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERES. 
137 
THE MNIOTILTINiE OK BUSH-CREEPERS. 
These are small birds, found in botli liemisplieres, residing in woods and thickets, and feeding 
on insects, worms, and spiders. In pursuit of their prey they creep about upon the bushes with 
great facility, examining every leaf, and poking their heads into flowers to capture the minute 
insects that seek shelter among the petals. They are very sociable, and assemble in flocks, fre- 
quently mingling with other birds. Their nests are very curious, sometimes arched over, and some- 
times suspended by fibers of bark to the thin twigs of trees. One of the most common species is 
the Zosterops palpehrosus, common in India. This is often seen with its forehead powdered with 
pollen, acquired during its inspection of the flowers. 
THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 
THE PARINiE OR TITMICE. 
These lively and courageous little birds, called Mesange by the French, are common to both 
continents. In England they are popularly called Tits, Tomtits, and Titmice; in America, 
Chickadees, from the call or cry of one of the most common species. About fourteen European 
species are known, twelve in North America, and several in India, the Himalaya Mountains, Ja- 
pan, New Zealand, and Australia, They are found principally in wooded districts, where they 
feed upon insects and larvae, which they capture both upon the bark and leaves of the trees and 
shrubs. In search of these they may be seen clinging in every variety of attitude to the branches 
and twigs ; and when thus engaged, from the sprightliness of their whole behavior, they are ex- 
ceedingly pleasing objects. They are seen engaged in this manner in gardens, Avhere they 
climb about the fruit-trees in every direction, and often destroy a good many buds in their search 
for insects contained in them. They build their nests in various situations — in cavities in walls, 
in hollow trees, and on the branches of trees. 
The Genus PARUS : Parus, contains several species : the Great Titmouse, P. major, is some- 
what less than six inches long ; the upper parts are greenish-ash ; the breast, sides, and flanks, 
dull sulphur-yellow. It inhabits woods, the vicinity of gardens, and sheltered situations, in sum- 
mer, feeding often on seeds. In winter it approaches the habitations of man, and closely exam- 
ines the thatch of old buildings in search of the small flies that harbor there. In September the 
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