their search for food; and, being fearless in disposition, may
be readily observed roving in bands from tree to tree or from
bush to bush, alighting equally on a sturdy branch or a
slender twig, fluttering for a few moments beneath the boughs,
or hanging back downwards by their strong toes and hooked
claws, while examining every cavity, leaf or bud, that is
likely to afford shelter to any of their numerous insect-prey.
The Great Titmouse, often called the Oxeye, the first of the
genus to be here considered, is said to have been known to
kill birds of its own size, accomplishing that end by repeated
blows of its hard and sharp bill on the skull of the victim,
and afterwards picking out and eating the brains. Whether
this story be true or not, the species certainly seldom indulges
in the practice except when caged, and its food mainly consists
of insects in their various stages, with, in autumn and
winter, a variety of hard seeds, which it cracks much in the
way of the Nuthatch already described, but without the same
dexterity as that bird.
In England the Great Titmouse is seldom seen on bleak
open ground, but inhabits woods, gardens or enclosed and
sheltered districts generally. In winter it approaches nearer
the habitations of men, and may be seen in hard weather
closely examining the thatch of old buildings in search of
the many small flies that harbour there. As the Great Titmouse
is an early breeder, the lively chirping notes of the
male are heard at the beginning of February; and, though
hardly to be called harmonious, they must yet be considered
a true song, since they cease with the hatching of the young,
but should a second nest be built they are recommenced,
only in a somewhat different key. These notes are very varied,
and include some which are very harsh and much resemble
the noise made in sharpening a saw, so that in many parts
of England the bird is commonly known by the name of
Sawsharper. As a whole the song is more remarkable for
cheerfulness and frequent repetition than for quality of tone.
The nest consists of a foundation of soft moss, on which is
a thick layer of short hairs almost felted into a mass, some
feathers being often added. It is usually built in the hole of
a t r e e o r o f a Avail, b u t m a n y o t h e r s i t e s— s o m e o f t h e m
m o r e o r l e s s o d d , . s u c h a s t h e i n s i d e o f a p u m p o r a n i n v
e r t e d f l o w e r p o t— a r e f r e q u e n t l y c h o s e n , a n d o c c a s i o n a l l y
t h e b i r d i s s a i d t o a v a i l i t s e l f o f t h e d e s e r t e d n e s t o f s o m e
l a r g e r s p e c i e s , Av h ich i t a d a p t s t o i t s owm p u r p o s e s . Somet
im e s i t w o u l d s e e m t o e x c a v a t e a h o l e f o r i t s e l f i n a r o t t e n
s t u m p o r d e a d t r e e , a n d i t s e g g s h a v e b e e n f o u n d l y i n g o n
t h e b a r e w o o d w i t h o u t a n y b e d d i n g . T h e y a r e f r o m s i x t o
n i n e i n n u m b e r , v e r y v a r i a b l e i n s i z e , s i n c e t h e y m e a s u r e
f r o m '75 t o ’6 b y f r o m '67 t o '47 i n . , a n d a r e p u r e white
o r w h i t e t i n g e d w i t h yelloAV, b l o t c h e d , s p o t t e d o r s p e c k l e d
w i t h l i g h t r e d , t h e m a r k i n g s , a s i n t h e e g g s o f n e a r l y a l l t h e
s p e c i e s o f t h e g e n u s , b e i n g p r e t t y e v e n l y , b u t s e l d o m t h i c k l y ,
d i s t r i b u t e d o v e r t h e Avhole s u r f a c e .
The bird is common throughout most parts of Great
Britain, breeding in every county as far as Sutherland, but,
according to Mr. Gray, is much less numerous to the north
of Argyleshire. I t is never seen in the Outer Hebrides, but
it occurs, though rarely, in Shetland. In Ireland it is
common and resident. I t is found over almost the whole of
Europe, going even beyond the Arctic Circle, though scarce
so far to the northward. Thence it would seem to extend
across Siberia, becoming less common towards the east.
Dr. von Middendorff obtained specimens (which differed but
slightly from European examples) in midwinter on the shores
of the Sea of Ochotsk. I t Avas formerly thought to inhabit
Japan, but the distinctness of the species of that country
(Parus minor) is noAv generally alloAved. The southern
limits of our bird in Asia are not known; Mr. Blanford,
however, informs the Editor that it is very common in
gardens at Shiraz, Abbott sent specimens from Trebizond,
and Canon Tristram found it abundant in Palestine. Strickland
obtained it at Smyrna, and Col. Drummond-Hay says it is
common in Crete. I t seems to occur in most of the islands
of the Mediterranean, and is common in Algeria, where it
breeds. I t also inhabits the Canaries, but is rare there.*
* Bishop Stanley (Fam. Hist, of Birds, i. p. 95) quotes from Forster’s ‘ North
America’ an instance of this species having been observed in the Atlantic (lat,
VOL. I . 8 Q