AZURE TIT.

Parus cyanus, Pall.

Le Mésange azurée.

Turis beautiful little Tit 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 so far south as Germany. Like the rest of
its family it dwells in woods and forests, generally in the most retired parts; it is not so much to be
wondered at, therefore, that its history is shrouded in obscurity, when we consider how little intercourse
naturalists have hitherto had with the remote countries which it inhabits.

Were we allowed to judge from analogy, we might very reasonably conclude that its manners and its
disposition are in strict unison with those of its near relative the Blue Tit (Parus ceruleus) of England.

For the specimens from which our figures were taken, and which we believe to be the only examples in
England, we are indebted to the liberality of the directors of the Royal Museum of Berlin.

Like the rest of its race, the sexes of the Azure Tit offer little or no difference in the colouring of the
plumage.

Nothing is at present known respecting its nest or eggs.

The forehead, throat, and breast are white; a band of deep blue extends from the eye round the back part
of the head; the back and rump are fine blue grey; the tail-feathers fine deep blue with white tips, and the
outer one on each side wholly white; the wings deep blue, the secondaries largely tipped with white; a band
of the same colour crosses near the shoulders; primaries grey, brown on their inner webs and white on the
outer; feet and bill lead colour.

The Plate represents a male and female, of the natural size.

 

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