22 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



COAL TITMOUSE (Parus ater). 



Generally distributed, but local in Scotland ; nowhere 

 very abundant. 



Haunts. Woods, &c., near open commons and moors, 

 gardens, &c. 



Observation. Note double white bars on wings and 

 white splash on nape absent in the Marsh Tit. 



Plumage. Crown, throat, and front of neck black. 

 Cheeks and spot on nape white ; upper parts grey. 

 Wings bluish grey, with two white bars ; under parts 

 white, tinged with grey. Bill and legs dark horn-brown. 

 Length 4^ in. Female duller, and white patches washed 

 with yellow. Young more olive above and white 

 patches yellow. 



Language. Song, " tee-tzoo-tzoo-teny. " Another 

 note, " ick-hec " quickly repeated. 



Habits. Sociable, and closely resembling other Tits in 

 its curious antics when searching for food. Fond of 

 coniferous trees, but feeds more readily on the ground 

 than other Tits. 



Food. Insects and their larvae : in winter, practically 

 omnivorous. 



Nest. April onwards. Probably one brood only. 



Site. In hole in tree or wall, &c., always near ground. 



Materials. Grass, moss, wool and hair, felted together 

 lined with feathers and fur. 



Eggs. Six to eleven. White, speckled and dotted 

 with pale reddish brown. 



PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla lugubris). 



Well-distributed and common ; rarer towards the 

 north. 



Haunts. The vicinity of water, meadow -land, gardens, 

 farm-yards, and near human dwellings. 



Plumage. Generally variegated with black and white 



