65 
Wild Birds Useful and Injurious. 
several others of its own species in some hole in a thatched 
roof or other snug retreat. 
Its domed nest is skilfully constructed, often carefully con- 
cealed, but at times conspicuous enough. It is placed in all 
manner of situations. I once found one in a swallow’s nest ; the 
green mossy nest of the wren on its foundation of mud, with the 
owner’s head peering out of the orifice, made a very pretty 
picture. The well-known habit which the wren displays of 
building nests without any apparent intention of devoting them 
to the reception of its eggs need only be alluded to, as at pre- 
sent it cannot be satisfactorily explained. Many theories 
have been advanced to solve the difficulty, as, for instance, that 
the extra nests are built by the male bird for his own accom- 
modation, that they are designed for winter retreats, or that they 
have been deserted before completion owing to human inter- 
ference. In connexion, however, with this latter point, it may 
be stated that the wren is by no means so jealous of interference 
as is usually supposed, provided that the nest is treated with due 
respect and carefully handled. 
Its food consists of various insects, including aphides, and 
of small seeds, for which it may be seen hunting along the sides 
of ditches aud the bottoms of hedges. In the nesting season it 
renders good service by feeding its numerous family on green 
caterpillars from fruit trees, and on other garden pests, and it 
need scarcely be said that it is entirely harmless. 
Tits. 
Though detested by gardeners, there can be no doubt that 
the tits are amongst the most useful of our small birds. There 
are five comparatively common species. 
The Blue Tit (Parus cceruleus ), otherwise known as the Nun. 
Bluecap, Pick-cheese, or Billy Biter, is pre-eminently the 
tomtit, and possesses (fig. 4) the characteristics of the race in a 
marked degree. Perhaps no bird endears itself more to the 
lover of Nature than this cheery little specimen of feathered 
life. Its bright blue cap, yellowish-green back, blue wings and 
tail, in strong contrast with its sulphur-yellow breast, form a 
very pleasing picture, and its ceaseless activity, loquacious 
cheeriness, and enterprising disposition are a never-failing 
source of amusement. It may, moreover, be easily studied at 
close quarters, for in the winter it will quickly discover suet 
suspended by a piece of string in a walnut-shell or other recep- 
tacle, and will constantly and fearlessly visit it, even when close 
to the window of an occupied room. Other species of tits take 
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