512 
TOMTIT. 
is seldom extended quite so high as the first, and neither of them are 
"‘arried quite to the brim of the nest ; the birds thinking it enough to 
bring- their masonry near to the twisted band of grass which forms the 
mouth. The whole wall, when finished, is not much thicker than 
pasteboard, and, though hard, tough, and water-tight, is more warm 
and comfortable than at first view might appear, and admirably calcu- 
lated for protecting the eggs or young from the bleak winds which 
prevail in the early part of the spring, when the song thrush breeds.** 
TIDLEY GOLDFINCH. — A name for the Golden-crested Wren. 
TIDLEY. — A name for the Wren. 
TINKER’S HUE. — A name for the Guillemot. 
TIPPET GREBE. — The young of the Gaunt. 
TIT (^Parus, Linnaeus.) — A genus of Perchers (^Insessores,YiGO'R^.^ 
TITLARK. — A name for the Meadow Pipit. 
TITLING. — A name for the Meadow Pipit and Hedge Chaunter. 
TITMOUSE. — A popular name for the Tits. 
TOMMY or TAMMY NORIE. — A name for the Coulterneb. 
TOMTIT {Parus cceruleus, Ray.) 
*Parus caeruleus, Linn^ Syst. 1. p. 341. 5. — Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 1008. — Rail, Syn. p. 
74. A. 4. — Will. p. 175. t. 43. — Lath, Ind. Orn. 2. p. 566. 12. — Briss. 3. p. 
544. 2. — Ih. 8vo. 1. p. 462. — Blaumeise, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 3. p. 860. — 
Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 1.269. — Frisch, 14. — La Mesange bleue, Buff. Oh. 
5. p. 413 Blue Titmouse, Br. Zool. 1. No. 163. t. 57. L 2.—Ib. fol 114. t. 
W. f. 5. — Arct. Zool. 2. p. 427. D. — Will. (Angl.) p. 242. t. 43. — Albin, 1. t. 
47 — Hayeh Br. Birds, t. 38. — Lath. Syn. 4. p. 543. 10. — Don. Br. Birds, t. 
57. — Lewin’s Br. Birds, 3. t. 120. — Wale. Syn. 2. t. 245. — Pult. Cat. Dorset. 
p. 10. — Flem. Br. Aniin. p. 80. — Selby, pi. 51. fig. 2. p. 228. — Bewick's Br. 
Birds, 1. p. 237. 
Provincial . — Blue Whaup. Nun. Hickwall. Blue Bonnet. 
Blue Cap. Billy Biter.* 
Length about four inches and a half ; weight three drams. The bill 
is dusky ; irides dark hazel ; forehead and cheeks white ; that on the 
former inclines backwards, and forms a line round the crown of the 
head, which is of a fine blue ; behind the circle of white is another of 
a deep blue, surrounding the head entirely, and joining the base of the 
under mandible, where it is nearly black ; from the bill through the 
eye is a small black line ; the back is of a yellowish green ; wings and 
tail blue ; breast and belly yellow ; legs lead-colour. 
This bird would be much more admired for its beauty if it were less 
common. In winter it frequents houses for the sake of plunder ; will 
devour flesh greedily, whether fresh or putrid ; and indeed is omni- 
vorous. It is a constant attendant where horse-flesh is kept for hounds, 
* Architecture of Birds. Chap, on Mason Birds, p. 126, 
