Part 47

"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."

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