GREAT-TIT, BLUE-TIT, COAL-TIT, MARSH-TIT 



in tin- pine-woods announces itself by m dear a piping a* that pre- 

 rrdmi: a Highland regiment Nevertheless it requires much time and 

 patience to distinguish between the various species of Tits and their 

 allies when they are all banded together; but, once learnt, their 

 apparently undiflerentiated sounds are very distinct Curiously 

 enough, it does not require a musical ear to be an expert in bird- 

 calls; for my itltiina Untie when perplexed about these things is a 

 man who has not the slightest appreciation cither of a barn-l-or^an 

 ditty, or of the divinest music that ever swayed the soul of humanity. 



As for the notes of the blue-tit, it requires a very charitable 

 person indeed to construe the churring, scolding call of this cheerful 

 but often irascible bird into anything approaching a song. Neverthe- 

 less the long-drawn-out trill, which is uttered by the blue-tit during 

 tin- breeding season, is to all intents and purposes a MMI<:. and must In- 

 regarded as such by musical critics since the bird does its level best 

 But if you intrude upon his domestic affairs, scurrilous language 

 is flung at you with an energy and determination which make you at 

 once wish to apologise and withdraw. The fact that his bill may be 

 filled with insects in nowise interferes with his even flow of language, 

 as with body delicately poised and crest erect he gives you a bit of 

 hi- mind. However, be patient and retain your ground ; in time " this 

 atom in full breath" will calm down and even take you into his 

 confidence. The marsh-tit's notes are best described by Mr. C. J. 

 Alexander as "(1) A double note ; the most usual ; often followed by a 

 harsh note repeated several times. (2) Thin, sharp notes. (3) Song : (a) 

 A loud, clear note, repeated about seven times ; the usual song ; (b) 

 based on a more liquid pronunciation of (1) but sometimes including 

 low notes of a different character. The marsh-tit's song (a) is only 

 heard from December to April, but regularly during most of that 

 period ; song (6) is uttered occasionally during many of the summer 

 months." 



During the summer the simple songs of the Tito are forgotten. 



1 Hrilixh Birdt, vol. iv. p. 147. 



