CRESTED-TIT -.'07 



not t< IM- confusiMl \\ith the marsh-tit >-. anv moiv than marsh with 

 great." 



Mr. C. J. Alexander analyses the notes as follows : ' " (1) Deep, 

 plaintive note, sometimes prefixed by one or two thin notes. (2) Thin, 

 sharp notes ; more frequently uttered than the corresponding notes of 

 the marsh-tit (3) Song : rich nightingale-like notes, mingled with a 

 soft musical warbling. The song-period extends from January to 

 April, and again from July to September this corresponds in general 

 with the song-periods of the coal and blue-tits but the actual song 

 of the willow-tit is heard but rarely." Some differences between the 

 breeding habits of this species and those of the marsh-tit have been 

 described in the Classified Notes. 



CRESTEDTIT 

 [E. L. TURNER] 



Crested-tits are resident and more local in their habitat than any 

 other British species, except bearded-tits. In Great Britain their 

 breeding area is confined to one locality in Scotland, to Strathspey, a 

 tmct of country about thirty miles in length and from three to ten miles 

 in breadth. They are seldom found away from pine-woods, but during 

 the winter travel about in small flocks, occasionally consorting with 

 other titmice and goldcrests ; still, however, keeping well within their 

 breeding area. 



In general habits crested-tits resemble other Panda;, but are a 

 trifle more staid in their demeanour. In spite of the well-developed 

 crest, it requires a sharp eye to distinguish between this species and 

 its near relative, the blue-tit : because ordinarily this distinctive badge 

 is not nearly so conspicuous as one would imagine, unless its owner 

 becomes excited ; then indeed the crest is raised considerably above 

 its normal position, and appears particularly prominent But on dull 



1 British Bird*, Oct. 1U10, pp. 140-7. 



