52 COMMON BRITISH^BIRDS 



Distinguishing Feature. The Song Thrush may be 

 distinguished from the Redwing by its having no white 

 above the eye, and no red under the wings or on the 

 sides. 



Nest.- Made of dried grass and mud, and lined with 

 small fragments of rotten wood laid on a coating of 

 wet mud, making a hard smooth surface. 



Eggs. Greenish-blue with black spots. 



Haunts. Gardens and woods. 



TIT, BLUE. (R. Tits.) 



Size. Smaller than Sparrow. 



Colour. Crown of head sky-blue, white line round the 

 blue, cheeks white with blue-black line above going 

 through the eye, and another below reaching to the back 

 of the neck. Throat and chin is bluish-black, and a line 

 of dusky blue runs down the centre of breast ; remainder 

 of under parts yellow, back greenish, wings and tail blue. 

 Bill and legs bluish-grey. 



Note. ' Chee, chee, chee,' and ' chee, chee, chee, 

 chit, te de dee, dee,' the last five syllables uttered quickly 

 and on a slightly lower note. The Blue Tit appears to 

 wish to inform one of its presence, almost invariably 

 uttering its note when it alights in a tree near by. 



Distinguishing Feature. Blue cap and general blue 

 and yellow plumage, small size, and manner in which it 

 often hangs head downwards, upside down, or indeed 

 in any possible position in its search for food among 

 the twigs and leaves. This is a habit characteristic 

 of all the Tit tribe. 



Nest. In hole in wall or tree. 



Eggs. White, with red spots. 



Haunts. Woods and garden* 



TIT, COLE. (R. Tits.) 



Size. Smaller than Sparrow. 



Colour. Head and chin black, with a white spot on 

 the nape. Back olive-brown. Wings dusky-brown, 

 lesser and greater coverts tipped white, tail dusky. 

 Under parts greyish-white. 



Note. A clear ringing note. 



Distinguishing Feature. The white spot on the nape 

 distinguishes the Cole Tit from the Marsh Tit, and the 

 smaller size and different build and gait prevent it 



