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THE BLUE TIT. 
Bluebonnet. Tomtit. 
Parus cceruleus, Linn. 
Is very common ; more so than any other of the genus, 
in the island. 
Its lively and varied attitudes, as observed in the ordinary places of 
resort, have often been described. In addition to the more common 
haunts, this bird is met with as far up the sides of the moun- 
tain glens as there is a little underwood for shelter. It feeds pretty 
much on the highways, and occasionally builds in the walls of 
town gardens. In winter, whether mild or otherwise, this species 
is very partial to the reeds (Arundo phragmitis) fringing the river 
Lagan near Belfast, where I have often been much interested in 
observing numbers of them. The force of one coming against a 
dead reed sways it almost to the surface of the water, in which the 
base is immersed, but the titmouse nevertheless maintains its hold; 
then hurrying to another, alights near its base and rapidly runs 
up the stem to near the top, and almost dips in the river again : 
the graceful bend of the reed adds much to the beauty of such a 
scene. 
These birds are known to suffer considerably from the cold of 
winter, to which they are very sensible, even when kept in the 
house. One at “ the Balls,” when let out of the cage in summer, 
roosted upon the top : but in winter, although in a warm room, 
selected the hottest place in which it could remain safely for the 
night, namely, under the fender, a locality which afforded at the 
same time sufficient space and shelter. This bird, from its familiarity 
and vivacity, was most amusing. The cage was covered with close 
netting, which it several times cut through, thereby effecting its 
escape into the room. It then flew to the children, and having 
taken hold of a piece of bread or cake in the hand of the youngest, 
would not forego the object of attack, though shaken with the 
greatest force the child could exert ; indeed, the latter was 
so persecuted on one occasion for a piece of apple, that she 
ran crying out of the apartment. It was particularly fond of 
