Cassell's book of birds; vol. 2

"Sixteen Canaries consumed at the average rate of one hundred grains each in twenty-four hours.

"The consumption of food by these birds, compared with the weight of their bodies, was about one-sixth; which, supposing a man to consume food in the same proportion to his weight, would amount to about twenty-five pounds for every twenty-four hours."

The nest, which is formed of moss and wool, lined with hair, is placed in a hole in a wall, or the hollow of a tree, or sometimes on the ground, in cavities among the exposed roots, at the mouth of some burrow. The eggs are from six to eight in number, and are white, spotted with pale red.

The BLUE TITS represent a group that have been separated from those mentioned above on account of the unusual shortness of their much-curved beak and the peculiar coloration of their plumage.

THE BLUE TIT.

The BLUE TIT (Parus cæruleus) is bluish green on the back, and blue on the head, wings, and tail, while the under side is yellow; a white line passes from the brow to the nape, and a narrow bluish black line divides the white cheeks from the dark head; the throat is encircled by a blue band; the quills are slate-black, the hinder ones sky-blue on the outer web and white at the tip; the tail-feathers are greyish blue. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, with white margins, and the foot lead-grey. The female is less beautifully coloured than her mate, and the young somewhat paler. This species is four inches and a half long and seven and a half broad; the wing measures two inches and a third, and the tail about two inches.

The Blue Tits are met with over a greater extent of country than any other member of their family. In Europe they are dispersed over the entire continent, from its most northern latitude to the extreme south; in Northern Africa and Eastern Asia they are replaced by a very similar species. In Great Britain, where they are extremely common, they frequent gardens, groves, or orchards, and have been popularly supposed to do considerable damage by pecking at the buds of fruit trees; it is much more likely, however, that these active little visitants to our orchards, when they seem thus employed, are busily engaged in rendering us an important service, by clearing off the insects and grubs that infest the blossoms sometimes in such large numbers as would seriously injure the crops. "This species," says Mudie, "is perhaps more incessant than any other bird in hunting the buds and branches of trees, especially of fruit trees near houses, for its insect prey; but it will eat any animal matter either in a recent or putrid state, and it appears to scent animal remains at a considerable distance, as it hovers about slaughter-houses, dog-kennels, and other places where there are scraps of carrion. It also haunts the neighbourhood of houses, and picks bones, eats bits of fat, or any refuse it can find, and, when opportunity favours, will even kill other birds by striking them on the head, and then picks their bones as clean as if they were cleared by the thousand inhabitants of an ant-hill. Dead birds are, of course, lawful prize, for which it searches under trees and hedges after severe weather. It is, in short, a very omnivorous bird, and plays the scavenger with equal diligence and grace. It is also very bold and familiar, and will alight among the poultry in the farm-yard or amid the dogs in the kennel; nor does it much heed the presence of people even under the trees upon which it is hunting." So strong is the liking of the Blue Tit for fat, that Gilbert White tells us that he has known as many as twenty caught in one morning with a common snap mouse-trap, baited with tallow or suet.

"When the Blue Tit," says Yarrell, "has taken possession of a hole in a wall or decayed tree, she is not readily induced to quit it, but defends her nest and eggs with great courage and perseverance, puffing out her feathers and hissing like an angry kitten; in some counties, indeed, she goes by the name of 'Billy Biter' among bird-nesting boys, from a vivid remembrance of certain impressions on their fingers. A female that had taken possession of a small wooden box hung up against an out-building, into which she had carried abundance of material for her nest, and in the midst of which she was then sitting upon her numerous eggs, allowed herself to be carried into a house for examination, and when the box was replaced in its former situation, did not desert her eggs, but hatched them and reared her young."

The nest is generally built in a hole in some tree, in many instances excavated by the building birds themselves; and frequent and fierce are the battles that take place between the different couples, relative to the possession of a particularly desirable spot. Within this cavity, a comfortable bed of hair, moss, or feathers is arranged for the reception of the eggs, eight or ten in number, which are white, with spots of rust-red, and about seven lines and a half long, and six in diameter.

Sometimes this bird selects very whimsical situations for a nest. Bishop Stanley, in his "Familiar History of Birds," relates that "A pair of Titmice (Parus cæruleus) built their nest in the upper part of an old pump, fixing it on the pin on which the handle worked. It happened that during the time of building and laying the eggs the pump had not been in use; when again set going the female was sitting, and it was naturally supposed that the motion of the pump-handle would drive her away. The young brood were, however, hatched safely, without any other misfortune than the loss of a part of the tail of the sitting bird, which was rubbed off by the friction of the pump-handle. The opening for a pump-handle seems, indeed, to be a favourite spot, notwithstanding its danger, as we knew of another pair of Titmice, who for several days persevered in inserting, close upon the point of the handle, the materials for a nest, though every time the handle was raised they were either crushed or forced out, till the patience of the persevering little builders was fairly exhausted."

In the "Journal of a Naturalist" is the following interesting notice of the Blue Tit:—"I was lately exceedingly pleased in witnessing the maternal care and intelligence of this bird; the poor thing had its young ones in the hole of a wall, and the nest had been nearly all drawn out of the crevice by the paw of a cat, and part of its brood devoured. In re-visiting its home the bird discovered some of its nestlings still alive, though wrapped up and hidden in the tangled moss and feathers of their bed, and it then drew the whole of the nest back into the place from whence it had been taken, unrolled and re-settled the remaining little ones, fed them with the usual attentions, and finally succeeded in rearing them. The parents of even this reduced family laboured with great perseverance to supply the wants of their progeny, one or other of them bringing a grub, caterpillar, or some insect, at intervals of less than a minute during the day, and probably in the earlier part of the morning more frequently. Now if we allow that they brought food to the hole every minute for fourteen hours, and provided for their own wants also, it will admit, perhaps, a total of a thousand grubs a day for the requirements of one, and that a diminished brood, and afford some adequate comprehension of the infinite number requisite for the summer nutriment of our soft-billed birds, and the great distances gone over by such as have young ones, in their numerous trips from hedge to tree in the hours specified when they have full broods to support."

"In winter," says Macgillivray, "the Blue Tit may be occasionally seen about the farm yard, where it finds, when other food fails, a supply of oat or wheat seeds, which it jerks from their husks with its wedge-like bill. It also frequents the doors and dunghills, to pick up a bit of suet, or nibble a morsel of flesh; and where carrion is kept, it is often seen to help itself to a share. Often, at this season too, you may find it clinging to a wall, and digging at the loose plaster, to get at the insects or pupæ concealed behind. It will even make occasional excursions into the stubble near hedges or woods; and, in short, being in a manner omnivorous, it manages to get through the cold part of the year as well as its neighbours. It is accused of attacking other small birds, and splitting their skulls, but I have neither seen it do so, nor met with any other person who has; and we know how, when any assertion of the kind, however incredible, has been made, all the ornithologists catch the cry. It reposes in holes in walls, or among ivy, and seems to suffer less in severe frosts than most birds."

The song of the Blue Tits is a most insignificant performance, and their call-note a single shrill chirp. In other respects, however, they are in no respect inferior to other members of their family. In disposition they are lively, bold, and adventurous, and, were they a little larger, would probably assail enemies twice their own size, at whom they can, as it is, only ruffle up their feathers, and express, by vehement pecks and gesticulations, the pugnacious inclinations they cannot otherwise indulge. During the spring they live in pairs, in the summer in families, and in autumn associate in large flocks before commencing their winter excursions. Naumann tells us that previous to setting forth, these flocks assemble upon the tops of trees, calling incessantly to one another, as though each wished to induce its companions to set the example by commencing the unwonted flight. One after another rises into the air and makes a start, but finding that the rest have not resolution to follow, at once returns to his former perch, until at last all take flight simultaneously; but even when once fairly off, a mere trifle, such as a hat thrown upwards, will often cause them to drop heavily and precipitately to the ground. This unusual behaviour proceeds from the terror with which they regard the approach of any bird of prey, as they are well aware that in flying over any open country their inferior powers of wing place them completely at the mercy of such assailants. For this reason, when journeying to any distance, the flocks of Blue Tits usually rise to a great height before proceeding on their perilous journey.

THE AZURE TIT.

The AZURE TIT (Parus cyaneus) is considerably larger than the last-mentioned species. The upper part of the body is light blue, the head and under side are white, the nape and wings deep blue, the latter adorned with a broad white band, and tipped with white; the eye is dark brown, the beak greyish black, and the foot lead-grey. This species is from five inches and a quarter to six inches long, and nine and a half broad. The Azure Tit is spread over the eastern part of Siberia, and from thence wanders annually over some portions of Europe.

"This beautiful Tit," says Mr. Gould, "is a native of Siberia, whence it frequently strays into the northern parts of Europe, such as Russia and Poland, and it has been known to penetrate as far south as Germany. Like the rest of its family it dwells in woods and forests, generally in the most retired parts; it, therefore, is not to be wondered at that its history is shrouded in obscurity, when we consider how little intercourse naturalists have had with the remote countries that it inhabits. Like the rest of its race, the sexes of the Azure Tit offer little or no difference in the colour of the plumage. Nothing is known respecting nest or eggs."

THE SIBERIAN TIT.

The SIBERIAN TIT (Parus Sibericus) is, like the last-mentioned species, an inhabitant of the most northern parts of Europe and Asia. The upper surface of this bird is of a deep ash-colour, tinged on the back with brown; the quills, secondaries, and tail-feathers edged with white; throat black; cheeks and upper part of the chest pure white; under parts greyish white, washed with rufous on the flanks; bill and tarsi lead-colour.

The Siberian Tit is exceedingly rare in Europe. It migrates in winter to some of the provinces of Russia, and has been found in Sweden.

Mr. Lloyd informs us that it is plentiful in Lapland; that the greater portion are stationary all the year round; and that at Mauno, in latitude 68° 35´, it is almost the only bird to be found during the winter.

"The Siberian Titmouse," says M. Malm, "is not only most fearless, but possessed of an extraordinary degree of curiosity, and I have often had the greatest enjoyment in watching its movements. On one occasion I stood for half an hour under a thick spruce pine tree, on the look-out for one of these birds, which I heard chattering in the branches above me, but without being able to get sight of it. At length, however, it left its perch on the top of the tree, and, to my great astonishment, as I was still standing at the foot of the same tree, with the gun under my arm, it descended with the rapidity of an arrow, and took post on the barrel, near the muzzle! Here it remained a long while, and it was not till I had driven it away with my hand that I was enabled to shoot it.

"On another occasion, when out for the purpose of shooting, my gun being charged with large shot, I met with a Siberian Titmouse; and, whilst occupied in changing the shot, it came so very near me that I was enabled, without difficulty, to knock it down with the ramrod of my gun. This bird makes its nest in a hollow pine tree. The under portion of it consists of moss, which, without any kind of arrangement, is stuffed into the hole. Above this again, is a good portion of the hair of the lemming; at times, indeed, pieces of the skin of that animal. The eggs, which are from seven to nine in number, are white, and marked with light red spots and blotches. In shape they resemble those of the Common Creeper."

THE MARSH TIT.

The MARSH TIT (Parus palustris) is of a reddish grey on the upper part of the body, and greyish white beneath; the head, as far as the nape, is deep black, the chin greyish black, and the region of the chest white. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot lead-grey. The body is four inches and a half long, and the span of the wings eight inches; the wing measures two inches and a half, and the tail two inches.

The Marsh Tit inhabits the central portions of Europe. In the extreme south and north it is replaced by nearly allied species. Everywhere this bird frequents marshy localities, low-lying meadows, and moist woodland districts, preferring clumps of bushes or willows to lofty trees. Such as inhabit Great Britain remain throughout the entire year, but those occupying more northern latitudes wander farther south at the approach of winter.

Mr. Yarrell informs us that the Marsh Tit is common about London, and with the Blue, Cole, Long-tailed, and Great Tits, has been observed in Kensington Gardens, and that these birds are probably attracted to this spot by the insect food to be found about old trees in various stages of decay, a London atmosphere being unfavourable to healthy vegetation.

"The Marsh Tit," he tells us, "from London westward may be traced to Cornwall and Wales." In Ireland, according to Mr. Thompson, "this bird has been killed in the Phœnix Park near Dublin, in the county of Kildare, in the vicinity of Belfast, and in the county of Donegal; from London northward through Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire." It is also abundant in Derbyshire and Yorkshire; it is found in Durham and Northumberland; and Mr. Macgillivray saw it near Edinburgh. In his work on "British Birds" he says:—"This species is not nearly so common in the southern districts of Scotland as the Cole Tit, and I am not aware of its having been met with farther north than Fifeshire. Although named the Marsh Tit, it does not confine itself to marshy places, but examines the trees and bushes growing in the driest soil, as well as those of swampy ground; and I have seen it alight on herbaceous plants, especially thistles. Its flight is rapid and undulated, all its motions are quick and abrupt, and it creeps along the twigs, flutters, and throws itself into all sorts of positions. Its food consists chiefly of insects, but in autumn and winter it also eats the seeds of various syngenesian and other plants, and will pick at the flesh of a dead animal. It remains all the year with us, and does not seem to shift its quarters much. Its ordinary cry is a shrill cheep, but it also emits a variety of chattering notes, and in spring has a kind of song, which may be expressed by the syllables 'Chicka, chicka, chee!' Towards the end of the season the little flocks disperse, separate from the individuals of other species with which they have associated in winter, and betake themselves to the dense woods, or to the marshy wooded borders of streams and pools, the chief attraction to which seems to be the decayed willows, of which the crevices afford an abundant supply of insect food."

Montague remarks that "the eggs of all the species of Titmouse whose eggs are known are similar in colour, and only to be distinguished from each other by size and weight. Those of the Nuthatch, Creeper, Wren, Yellow Wren, Wood Wren, and Chiffchaff all agree in their markings, and are so like those of the Titmice that it is scarcely possible to separate them with certainty if once mixed together. It is somewhat remarkable that all these birds breed in holes, or make a covered nest."

The nest is usually built in hollow trees, the decayed parts of which, as Colonel Montague informs us, it excavates artfully, carrying the chips in its bill to some distance. It always works downwards, and makes the bottom of its excavation, intended for the reception of the nest, larger than the entrance. The nest itself is compactly formed of moss and wool, lined with the soft seed-down of the willow.

The first brood consists of from eight to twelve, and the second of from six to nine eggs. These are seven lines and a half long, and six broad. The shell is white, spotted with red.

THE CAROLINA TITMOUSE.

The CAROLINA TITMOUSE (Parus Carolinensis), an American species, has the bill black, the iris dark brown, and the feet bluish grey. The whole upper part of the head and the hind neck are pure black, as is a large patch on the throat and fore neck. Between these patches of black there is a band of greyish white from the base of the bill down the side of the neck, becoming broader and greyer behind. The back and wing-coverts are ash-grey, tinged with brown; quills brown, margined with greyish blue, as is the tail, which is more tinged with grey; lower parts greyish white, tinged with brown; the sides more deeply tinted. The length of this bird is four inches and a half, extent of wings six inches. The female is similar to the male, but somewhat fainter in its tints.

The Carolina Titmouse is a constant inhabitant of the Southern States of North America, extending from the lower parts of Louisiana through the Floridas, as far as the borders of the Roanoke River, reaching eastward as far as the State of New Jersey. In general it is found only in the immediate vicinity of ponds and deep marshy and moist swamps; it is rarely seen during the winter in greater numbers than one pair together, and frequently singly, whereas the Black-cap Titmouse, which this species much resembles, moves in flocks during the whole winter, frequenting orchards, gardens, or the hedges and trees along the roads, entering the villages, and coming to the wood piles of the farmers, whereas the Southern species is never met with in such places at any time of the year, and is at all seasons a shyer bird. The Carolina Titmouse breeds in the holes abandoned by the Brown-headed Nuthatch, but we are as yet not well informed concerning either its eggs or its nest.

THE BLACK-CAP TITMOUSE.

The BLACK-CAP TITMOUSE (Parus atricapillus), likewise an American species, has the bill brownish black, the iris dark brown, and the feet greyish blue, as are the claws. The whole upper part of the head and hind neck are pure black, as is a large patch on the throat and fore neck. Between these patches of black is a band of pure white, from the base of the bill down the sides of the neck, becoming broader behind, and encroaching on the back, which, with the wing-coverts, is ash-grey, tinged with brown. The quills are dark greyish brown, margined with bluish white, the secondaries being so broadly margined as to leave a conspicuous white dash on the wing. Tail same as wings, and the feathers similarly edged; lower parts brownish white, the sides pale yellowish brown. Length of body, five inches and a half; length of wing, three inches and seven-eighths. The female is similar to the male.

The opinion generally entertained concerning the extensive range of the Black-cap Titmouse has, in all probability, arisen from its great similarity to the species last described. In reality the Black-cap is rarely observed further south than the middle portions of Maryland; westward of the Alleghanies it extends as far as Kentucky in winter, but at the approach of spring returns northward.

Hardy, smart, restless, industrious, and frugal, the Black-cap Titmouse ranges through the forest during the summer, and retiring to its more secluded parts, as if to ensure a greater degree of quiet, it usually breeds there. Its numerous eggs produce a numerous progeny, and as soon as the first brood has been reared the young range hither and thither in a body, searching for food, while their parents, intent on rearing another family, remain concealed and almost silent, laying their eggs in the hole deserted by some Woodpecker, or forming one for themselves. "As it has been my fortune," says Audubon, "to witness a pair at this work, I will state what occurred, notwithstanding the opinion of those who tell us that the bill of a Titmouse is 'not shaped for digging.' While seated one morning under a crab apple-tree (very hard wood). I saw two Black-cap Titmice fluttering about in great concern, as if anxious to see me depart. By their manners I was induced to believe their nest was near, and, anxious to observe their proceedings, I removed to the distance of about twenty paces. The birds now became silent, alighted on the apple-tree, gradually moved towards the base of one of its large branches, and one of them disappeared, in what I then supposed to be the hole of a small Woodpecker, but I saw it presently on the edge with a small chip in its bill, and again cautiously approached the tree. When three or four yards off I distinctly heard the peckings or tappings of the industrious worker within, and saw it come to the mouth of the hole and return many times in succession in the course of half an hour, after which I got up and examined the mansion. The hole was about three inches deep, and dug obliquely downward from the aperture, which was just large enough to admit the bird. I had observed both sexes at this labour, and left the spot perfectly satisfied as to their power of boring a nest for themselves."

"The Black-cap Titmouse, or Chickadee, as it is generally named in our Eastern States, though exceedingly shy in summer, or during the breeding season, becomes quite familiar in winter, although it never ventures to enter the habitations of man; but in the most boisterous weather requiring neither food nor shelter there, it may be seen amidst the snow, in the rugged paths of the cheerless woods, where it welcomes the traveller or woodcutter with a confidence and cheerfulness far surpassing the well-known familiarity of the Robin Redbreast of Europe. Often, on such occasions, should you offer it, no matter how small a portion of your fare, it alights without hesitation, and devours it without manifesting any apprehension. The sound of an axe in the woods is sufficient to bring forth several of these busy creatures, and, having discovered the woodman, they seem to find pleasure in his company. If, as is usually the case, he is provided with a dinner, the Chickadee at once evinces its anxiety to partake of it, and loses no opportunity of accomplishing its object, although it sets about it with much circumspection, as if afraid of being detected and brought to punishment." "A woodcutter in Maine assured me," continues Audubon, "that one day he happened to be at work, and had scarcely hung up his basket of provisions, when it was observed by a flock of these birds, which, having gathered into it at once, attacked a piece of cold beef; but, after each peck, he saw their heads raised above the edge, as if to guard against the least appearance of danger. After picking until they were tired or satisfied, they left the basket, and perched directly over his fire, but out of the direction of the smoke. There they sat enjoying themselves, and ruffling their feathers, to allow the warmth more easy access to their skin, until he began his dinner, when they alighted near him, and, in the most plaintive tones, seemed to solicit a portion."

"Often," continues our author, "have I watched the busy Chickadees as they proceeded from tree to tree and from branch to branch, whether by the roadside or in the interior of the forest. The light rustling sound of their concave wings would intimate their approach as well as their retreat, as gaily one after another they passed onwards from one spot to another, chattering, peeping everywhere, and determined as it were not to suffer a chink to pass without inspection. Now hanging back downwards at the extremity of a twig, its feet almost up to its bill, one would peck at a berry or a seed, until it had devoured it, or it had fallen to the ground. Should the latter be the case, the busy bird would at once fly down and hammer at the fruit. To the Black-cap Titmouse the breaking of a hazel-nut is quite a pleasure, and I have repeatedly seen the feat accomplished, not only by a bird in its natural state, but by one kept in confinement. Courageous, and at times exceedingly tyrannical, it will attack young birds, break their skulls, and feed upon their flesh, as I have more than once witnessed.

"The Chickadee feeds on insects, their larvæ and eggs, as well as on every sort of small fruit or berries, including grapes, acorns, and the seeds of various pines. I have seen it eat the seeds of the sunflower, the pokeberry and pears, as well as flesh of all kinds. Indeed, it may truly be called omnivorous. Often you may see them perched, as it were, upon their food, and holding it beneath their feet while pecking it.

"The nest of this species, whether it be placed in the hole of a Woodpecker or Squirrel, or in a place dug by itself, is seldom found at a height exceeding ten feet. Most of those which I have seen were in low, broken, or hollowed stumps, a few feet high. The materials of which it is composed vary in different districts, but are generally the hair of quadrupeds in considerable quantity, and disposed in the shape of a loose bag or purse, as in most other species which do not hang their nests outside." The eggs rarely exceed eight in number; they are five-eighths of an inch long by three-eighths and three-quarters, rather pointed at the smaller end with minute reddish dots and markings. The first brood are laid from the middle of April to that of May, the second two months later. "The flight of this species," says Audubon, "like that of all American Titmice, is short, fluttering generally from tree to tree, and is accompanied with a murmuring sound, produced by the concavity of the wings. It is seldom seen on the ground, unless when it has followed a fruit that has fallen, or when searching for materials for its nest. It usually roosts in its nest during winter, and in summer amid the close foliage of firs or evergreens. In winter indeed, as well as in autumn, it is seen near the farmhouses, and even in villages and towns, busily seeking for food among the trees."

"On seeing a cat, or other object of natural antipathy," says Mr. Nuttall, "the Chickadee, like the peevish Jay, scolds in a loud, angry, and hoarse note, ''tshe! daigh, daigh, daigh!' Among the other notes of this species I have heard a call like ''tshe-de-jay! 'tshe-de-jay!' the two first syllables being a feeble chirp, with the jay strongly pronounced. The only note of this bird which can be called a song, is one which is frequently heard at intervals in the depths of the forest at times of day usually when all other birds are silent. We may then sometimes hear, in the midst of this solitude, two feeble, drawling, clearly whistled and rather melancholy notes, like 'Te dizzy!' and sometimes 'Ye perrit!' and occasionally, but rarely, in the same wiry, whistling, solemn tone, 'Phebe!' On fine days, about the commencement of October, I have heard the Chickadee sometimes for half an hour at a time, attempt a lively petulant warble, very different from his ordinary note. On these occasions he appears to flirt about, still hunting for his prey, in an ecstasy of delight and vigour. But, after awhile, the usual drawling note again occurs."