THE GREAT, BLUE, AND MARSH TITS 183 



a bluish-black crown and white cheeks, the under 

 parts being, with the exception of the black stripe, 

 of a greenish-yellow colour. 



The blue tit is, by an inch and a half, smaller 

 than the great tit, being about four and a half 

 inches in length. The under parts of this bird 

 are also of a yellowish-green, but the crown 

 and wing-coverts are of a brilliant azure blue. 

 It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the 

 family. 



Seen in a dull light, the coal and the marsh tit 

 may be easily mistaken for each other, and they 

 are much the same in size. Under more favour- 

 able conditions, however, the difference is very 

 apparent, for although the heads of both birds are 

 black, the nape and cheeks of the coal tit are 

 white ; there are also two very decided white bars 

 on its wings, and the back is of a blue-gray colour. 

 The marsh tit has no white about it, and its back 

 is of a gray-brown hue. The name of marsh tit 

 must not lead to the inference that this bird is 

 only to be found in marshy places, though it is, 

 perhaps, more common in well-watered districts 

 than elsewhere. 



To a lover of birds, it is well worth the trouble 

 of hanging up a greasy bone or a lump of fat to 

 the bough of a tree, well within sight of the house, 

 during the winter months. Every tit in the 

 neighbourhood will be sure to visit it, and it is 

 most amusing to watch them, as they hang in 

 every conceivable position, pecking and tearing 



