168 
BLUE TITMOUSE. 
pended near a window adjoining some shrubbery 
will afford amusement, and procure information 
of their habits, until divested of any adhering 
meat. At all times it is an extremely familiar 
and fearless little bird, allowing an observer to 
approach very near, while it pursues its vocation 
without apparent distrust ; and we have observed 
that the brood or little troop frequent particular 
localities for a considerable period, day after day, 
in succession, as if procuring a supply of some 
peculiar or favourite food. It breeds in the holes 
and rents of trees, walls, or rocks, and we have 
seen it occupy the end of a leaden water-pipe, 
which had fallen into disuse. Mr Hewitson relates 
his knowledge of one which “ continued building 
its nest for many days together, under the handle 
of a pump, although its labours were daily 
destroyed by its action.”* The opening to the 
place selected is generally so small as not to 
admit of investigation without enlargement, and 
the nest is built according to the form of the hole 
or excavation, warm and well lined. The female, 
when sitting, can scarcely be dislodged, even 
when the opening has been broken into ; she will 
hiss and snap at the intruder, and will attempt to 
bite the hand when introduced. The eggs are, 
in number, generally from six to eight or nine ; 
but Mr Hewitson mentions one instance, on 
which he could depend, where a nest containing 
eighteen eggs was brought to him. f The eggs, 
like those of most of the other species, are of a 
* Oology, ii. t Ibid. 
