The TOUPET TIT (_Parus bicolor_) is remarkable by the tuft or toupet on
its head. In this very pretty bird the sexes are so much alike as to be
scarcely distinguishable; both may be described as having the forehead
black, the sides of the head brownish black; all the upper surface
uniform grey, under surface greyish white, tinged with yellowish brown on
the flanks; bill black, irides dark brown, feet lead-colour.
There can be no doubt that the northern regions of America form the true
habitat of this species; but as specimens have been undoubtedly killed in
Russia, it may be classed among the occasional visitors to the European
continent; nevertheless, it is exceedingly rare in Europe, and its
presence is confined to the regions adjacent to the Arctic circle. In the
works of Wilson and Audubon its manners are described as resembling those
of other members of the genus. "It moves along the branches," says the
latter, "searches in the chinks, flies to the end of the twigs, and hangs
to them by its feet, whilst the bill is engaged in detaching a beech
or hazel-nut, an acorn, or a chinquapin, upon all of which it feeds,
removing them to a large branch, where, having secured them in a crevice,
it holds them by both feet, and breaks the shell by repeated blows of its
beak. It resorts to the margins of brooks to drink, and, when unable to
do so, obtains water by stooping from the extremity of a twig overhanging
the stream. It appears to prefer this latter method, and is also fond
of drinking the drops of rain or dew, as they hang at the extremity of
the branches." The same author also informs us that its notes, which
are usually loud and mellow, are rather unmusical than otherwise; that
it is somewhat vicious in its disposition, and occasionally attacks and
destroys smaller birds by repeated blows on the head, until it breaks the
skull.
The nest is constructed of all kinds of warm materials, and is generally
placed in the holes formed by the Downy Woodpecker, or of other
Woodpeckers, but it is occasionally placed in a hole dug by the bird
itself for that purpose. The eggs, six or eight in number, are pure
white, with a few red spots at the larger end.
* * * * *
The WOOD TITS (_Parus_) differ from the species above described by the
unusual strength of their conical beak, which is compressed at its sides
and pointed at its tip, and by their large, stout claws. The wings, in
which the third and fourth quills exceed the rest in length, are short
and broad; the tail is long, or of medium size, and either slightly
rounded or incised at its extremity. The rich streaming plumage is often
brilliantly coloured. The young resemble the mother; little diversity,
however, is observable between the sexes.