ioS BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



TIT, MARSH (Parus palustris) 



Local Names. — Blackcap, Black-Headed Tomtit, Coalhead, Joe Bent. 

 Little Black-Headed Tomtit, Saw Sharpener, Smaller Oxeye, 

 Willow Biter. 



Haunt. — Woods, commons, stream-sides, marshy ponds, etc. 



X csting Period. — April to June. 



Site of Nest. — In a rotten tree stump, hole in a pollard willow, etc. 



Materials Used. — Moss, wool, rabbit flick, willow catkins, etc. 



Eggs. — Six to Eight. White, patched with light red-brown. 



Food. — Same as Blue Tit. 



Voice. — Various notes, such as " ti, ti." " chee-chee-chee ; " a loud, 

 continuous " tshay-tshay-tshay," etc. 



Chief Features. — Although fond of marshy places, as the name 

 implies, this species is by no means restricted to same. Some- 

 what like the Coal Tit, but the dull-white cheeks, throat, and 

 breast at once distinguish it. 



Plumage. — Black forehead, crown, nape, and head; grey above; 

 dark-grey wings, edges lighter; dull-white cheeks, throat, and 

 breast. Length. — Four inches and a half. 



TWITE (Linota flavirostris) 



Local Names. — French Linnet, Heather Lintie, Mountain Linnet, 



Rockie, Rock Linnet, Rock Lintie, Twite Finch. 

 Haunt. — Moors, commons, and heaths. 



ting Period. — End of May or early June. 

 Site of Nest. — Among herbage on, or close to, the ground, also in 



low bushes. 

 Materials Used. — Bents, twigs of heather, lined with fibrous roots, 



hair, wool, or feathers, the down of plants, etc. 

 Eggs. — Four to Six. White, tinged with faint blue or green, and 



spotted with red or a darker tint. 

 Food. — Insects in Summer, small seeds in Winter. 

 Voice. — Call, " twite," or a long-drawn " twa-ite." The song is 



shriller than that of the Linnet, but not so good in quality. 

 Chief Features. — A typical moorland species; loves solitude. Much 



resembles its near relative the Linnet in habits. Resides in 



the North and Midlands. 

 Plumage. — Dark brown above, with light-brown edgings to feathers; 



tinge of red on rump of male; tawny-brown throat; dull-white 



breast and belly, with dark-brown streaks on flanks; yellow 



beak; dark -brown feet. Length. — Five and a quarter inches. 



