BLUE TIT. 
423 
matter would soon disappear. The Blue Tit (or 
<c Hickmall” as it it is termed generally in the 
country) is even entrapped by boys by the means 
of suet as a bait, but it will by no means regard this 
food in summer. In the beginning and milder parts 
of the winter months “hymenopterous and dipterous 
insects swarm on ivybushes” (White), and seizing 
these occasions, the Blue Tit resorts in parties to 
such spots and consumes quantities of its favorite 
food. The spring notes of this species of Titmouse 
are various, so different, and oftentimes so quickly 
succeeding each other, as to lead one to think 
that two or more individuals were engaged in con¬ 
versation. Though very familiar in its habits, it is 
wary and suspicious when watched, or near to an 
observer. It occupies gardens in towns, even the 
smoky atmosphere of the garden plots of the 
Borough of Southwark, where they will approach 
close to the windows, and examine the vines or 
other trees growing within reach of the hand. The 
Blue Bonnet builds invariably in holes of trees, or 
of walls, generally very secure from remark, the 
nest formed in bulk of moss and lined with hair, 
wool, and feathers. I well remember an instance of 
this bird exhibiting its strong attachment to its 
young ; some idle masons loitering in a farm-yard, 
perceived the spot where a pair had their brood 
concealed, and one of the fellows, perhaps esteem¬ 
ing these poor birds as no other than vermin, scaled 
the wall, and insinuating his fingers into a hole 
just below the thatch, drew forth both nest and the 
7 young, the parents vociferating and shewing great 
distress, and now descending from an adjoining 
apple tree, and fluttering immediately over the 
head of this vagabond intruder; he however 
appeared to be not at all discouraged, but even 
accustomed to such actions. Contrary to the asser¬ 
tion of Bewick, the Blue Tits suffer eggs to be with- 
