174 THE TITS 



2. Distribution. The great-tit is found throughout the whole of 

 the Palaearctic region, but the British race is confined to the British Isles. 

 Here it is very generally distributed in all wooded districts of Great Britain, 

 but becomes scarce in N. Scotland and is only a straggler to Sutherland 

 and Caithness. On the west it breeds in some of the better-wooded islands 

 of the Inner Hebrides and probably also in Skye. It is common in the Isle 

 of Man, and widely distributed in all the wooded parts of Ireland, breeding in 

 every county. [F. c. B. J.] 



3. Migration. Our local race appears to be stationary or subject only to 

 local movements. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting-place : usually in a hole of some kind, in a 

 tree, wall, building or occasionally in cliffs. In default of more natural sites all 

 kinds of artificial openings are made use of, such as nest-boxes, pumps, letter-boxes, 

 flowerpots, old tins, etc., while in some cases nests have been hollowed out of the 

 foundations of squirrels' dreys and nests of large birds, crows, rooks, magpies, and 

 sparrow-hawks. Instances are also on record of open nests in thick hedgerows 

 and inside those of other birds, such as thrush, blackbird, or hedge-sparrow. The 

 nest is composed of moss mixed with a few bits of dry grass, wool, or roots, lined 

 with a thick layer of felted hair or rabbit's fur. (PL xxiv.-xxv.) Eggs usually 

 6 or 7 to 11, but nests have been recorded with various numbers up to 17, 

 though in all probability some of these were the produce of more than one hen. 

 In colour they are white, spotted lightly or richly with two shades of red-brown. 

 They have been also found without markings. (PL D.) Average size of 100 

 eggs, '70 x '53 in. [17*98 x 13'5 mm.]. They are laid from the end of April 

 onward, and full clutches may usually be found about the first to the third week in 

 May according to latitude. The eggs are frequently covered up before incubation 

 begins. Naumann states that both sexes incubate, but more recent observations 

 seem to show that this duty is performed by the hen alone (cf. Zoologist, 1910, 

 p. 207, etc.). The period is given as 12-13 days (Steele-Elliott, Kingsley Siddall), 

 14 days (W. Evans). The rearing of a second brood is exceptional in England. 

 [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Insects and their larvae; also nuts, seeds of conifers, corn, 

 occasionally fruit and green peas. The nestlings are fed by both parents entirely 

 on insects and their larvae. [E. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. From middle of August to middle of June: the period 

 during which it sings regularly is from the end of December or early January 



