



OF Bre o's. 179 
a Vantage of their diftreffed and defencelefs fituation, 
. and though they fhould be of their own fpecies, 
_ they pierce their fkulls,” and feed upon their brains. 
This fpecies of cruelty feems implanted in their 
‘hature, and to influence them when they are not 
s urged by want; for in a cage, when they are . 
fupplied. with food in abundance, they will fill 
4 “practife this unneceflary act of violence. 
| Their food ‘is very various. ‘They. will eat 
 futs, almonds, kernels, chefnuts, figs, hemp- 
Be hed, hay-feeds, and a variety of fmall grains; 
_ they are fond too of blood, carrion, fat, fuet, 
| andtallow, ae oe 
Tn winter, if there be placed upon a window- - 
fill, fome hemp-feed in a little box, without a lid, 
and fome fuet in a net, the Titmice will be at- 
a traéted in confiderable numbers ; their manner cf 
taking the kernel out of the feed, which they 
Place between their feet, and hammer with the 
bill, and the thievith a@ivity which they difcover 
« in {eizing this orateful plunder, is very amufing. 
The Titmice are a very prolific Genus ; they lay 
from 18 to 20 eggs; fome of them make their 
nelts in holes of trees, employing their little beaks 
_ tf Bive them a form fuitable to their purpofe, and 
i: others build theirs in an oval form, very large, 
} : and well adapted for fo great a number of eggs; 
oe 
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