200 CRESTED TITMOUSE.
siderable variety of sounds, many of which, if the bird from which they
come does not happen to be known to the listener, are apt to induce disappointment
in him, when on going up he finds it to be very different from
what he expected. These sounds sometimes resemble a whistle, at another
time a loud murmur, and seem as if proceeding from a bird at a
much greater distance.
The crest of this species, which is generally erect, is a great improvement
to its general appearance, the tints of the plumage being, as you
perceive, kind reader, none of the most brilliant. The Crested Titmouse
is of a rather vicious disposition, which sometimes prompts it to attack
smaller birds, and destroy them by thumping their heads with its bill until
it breaks the skull.
This species sometimes forms a nest by digging a hole for the purpose
in the hardest wood, with great industry and perseverance, although
it is more frequently contented with the hole of the Downy Woodpecker,
or some other small bird of that genus. It fills the hole with every kind
of warm materials, after which the female deposits from six to eight eggs,
of a pure white, with a few red spots at the larger end. The eggs are
laid about the beginning of April in the Southern States, and nearly a
month later in the Middle Districts. As soon as the young are able to
leave the nest, they are seen following the parent birds, and continue
with them until the next spring.
I have met with this species in all parts of the United States which I
have visited; and as my rambles have been extended over a very large
portion of that country, I am surprised that I have not met with more
than two species of Titmice, although I am of opinion that several others
will yet be discovered.
The species of Pine, on a twig of which you see a pair these birds, is
the White Pine (Pinus Strobus), a tree of great beauty, of which individuals
have been observed of the enormous height of 180 feet, with a diameter
at the base of from six to eight feet. The trunk is branchless for
two-thirds of its height, and affords the most valuable wood perhaps of
any tree in the United States.
PARUS BICOLOR, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 544.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 567.
—Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 100.
CRESTED TITMOUSE, PARUS BICOLOR, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 137, PL 8. fig. 5.
TOUPET TITMOUSE, Lath. Synops. voL iv. p. 544.
CRESTED TITMOUSE. 201
Adult Male. Plate XXXIX. Fig 1.
Bill short, straight, rather robust, compressed, acute; both mandibles,
with the dorsal outline arched, the upper slightly decimate at the
tip. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the recumbent feathers.
Head large. Neck and body robust. Feet of ordinary length, rather
robust; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate, a little longer than the
middle toe; outer toe slightly united at the base, hind one much stronger;
claws rather large, much compressed, arched, acute.
Plumage blended, tufty ; feathers of the upper part of the head elongated
into a crest. WTings of moderate length, the second, third, and
fourth quills nearly equal and longest. Tail long, even, of ten rather
narrow, rounded feathers.
Bill black. Iris dark brown. Feet lead-colour. The general colour
of the upper parts is a dull leaden blue ; the forehead black ; sides
of the head lighter, and tinged with brown. Under parts greyish-white,
sides tinged with yellowish-brown.
Length 6£ inches, extent of wings 9 ; bill along the ridge along
the gap £ ; tarsus y£, middle toe £.
Adult Female. Plate XXXIX. Fig. %
The female hardly differs from the male in external appearance, being
equally crested, and having the same tints.
THE WHITE PINE.
PINUS STROBUS, Willd. Sp. Plant, vol. iv. p. 501. Pursh, Flor. Amer. vol. ii. p. 644.
Mich. Arb. Forest, de l'Amer. Sept. voL i. p. 104. PL x.—MONO :CIA MONADELPHIA,
Linn. CONIFERS, JUSS.
This species, which is a true Pine, has the leaves very slender, five
together, with very short sheaths, and is further characterized by its cylindrical,
pendulous cones, which are longer than the leaves, and have
their scales lax. It grows in rich soil, in all parts of the United States
from Canada to Virginia, and affords the best timber for masts, as well
as for other purposes. In Britain, where it has long been planted, it is
generally known by the name of Weymouth Pine, or Lord Weymouth's
Pine, from the name of the nobleman who introduced it.