54 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



being confused with the Black Cap Warbler, which 

 also has a black head and grey back. The latter bird 

 has a more slender beak, and is a summer migrant. 



Nest. In holes in trees or walls. 



Eggs. White, with many pale red spots. 



Haunts. Woods and gardens. 



TIT, GREAT. (R. Tits). 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Head black, cheeks white surrounded by 

 black, white patch on nape. Breast yellow with a 

 black streak down the centre from throat ; back greenish- 

 grey, wings and tail greyish-blue, feathers edged lighter. 

 Fee't and bill black. 



Note. The principal note of the Great Tit is a piercing 

 double note resembling ' wheet-tu, wheet-tu, wheet-tu,' 

 uttered chiefly in the early part of the year, being one 

 of the first bird-notes we hear that tells us spring is 

 really coming. It also utters a sharp ' pink, pink,' 

 like the Chaffinch. 



Distinguishing Feature. The conspicuous white 

 cheeks surrounded by black, and the black line down the 

 centre of the yellow breast. It is the largest British 

 Tit. The spring note, which rather resembles a saw 

 being sharpened ! 



Nest. A biggish structure, in a hole in a wall or 

 tree, often in a letter-box, made of moss, wool, rabbit 

 fur, &c. 



Eggs. White, with red spots. 



Haunts. Woods and garden. 



TIT, LONGTAILED. (R. Tits.) 



Size. Smaller than Sparrow. 



Colour. Crown of head and cheeks white, with broad 

 black band through eyes, back black in centre, sides 

 of back and scapulars rose-red, under parts white, 

 tinged with rosy, tail, over three inches long, six middle 

 feathers black, remainder edged and tipped with white. 



Note. A tiny rattling note heard often when a party 

 ol Longtailed Tits are following each other from bush 

 to bush, also a ' tick, tick,' and a note somewhat like 

 ' chee ' common to all the Tits. 



Distinguishing Feature. The long tail ; white, black, 

 and rosy plumage. Has rathw a, fluffy appearance, 



