BLUE AND COAL TITS 105 



Food. — Insects and small molluscs; reed seeds, etc., in Winter. 



Voice. — A metallic note like " ping, ping." May be imitated by- 

 chinking two pennies together. Alarm-note, " hear, hear." 



Chief Features. — Mostly restricted to the Norfolk broads. Worth 

 watching at all times, the antics of the birds as they cling to 

 the reeds being very engaging. A shy, recluse species. 



Plumage. — Head bluish-grey; a tuft of pendent black feathers 

 between the bill and eye, which is prolonged into a sort of 

 pointed moustache; greyish- white on neck and throat; white 

 breast and belly, with yellow and pink tinge; above light 

 orange-brown; wings variegated with red, white, and black; 

 a long orange-brown tail, outer feathers variegated with black 

 and white. The female has moustache similar colour to cheek; 

 grey on head missing. Length. — Six and a half inches. 



TIT, BLUE (Parus cceruleus) 



Local Names. — Allecampain, Billy-Biter, Bluebonnet, Bluecap, Blue 

 Mope, Blue Oxeye, Blue Tom Tit, Blue Whaup, Blue Yaup, 

 Bottle Tit, Hickmall, Hickwall, Jerrybo, Nun, Pick-Cheese, 

 Pinchem, Stonechat, Titmall, Tomtit, Tunnock. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, trees, and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — April to June. 



Site of Nest. — Holes of trees, walls, banks, and many other curious 

 places, such as letter-boxes and lamp-posts. 



Materials Used. — Moss and grass, lined with feathers, hair, and wool. 



Eggs. — Seven to Twelve. White, marked with faint red-brown, 

 usually at the larger end. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae, and in Winter buds and small seeds. 



Voice. — A vociferous bird at all times, but the notes are difficult to 

 write down. A shivering little song of a pleasant description. 

 Call, " ping, ping, si, si, si." 



Chief Features. — Pretty dress, active habits, and cheery notes. One 

 of our commonest British Tits. 



Plumage. — Blue crown, encircled with white; white cheeks, with 

 dark-blue borders; olive-green back; bluish wings and tail; 

 white tips on greater coverts and secondaries; yellow breast 

 and belly, with a dark-blue line. Length. — Four and a half inches. 



TIT, COAL (Parus britannicus) 



Local Names. — Blackcap, Black Oxeye, British Cole Tit, Caley Tit, 



Coalhead, Cole Mouse, Cole Tit, Tomtit. 

 Haunt. — Woods and copses. 

 Nesting Period. — April to June. 



