The Coal Tit 



sits very closely and vigorously pecks at any intruding hand. 

 The period of incubation is very short, being only from ten 

 to twelve days, and the young, which are fed almost 

 exclusively on insects, leave their home in about a fortnight, 

 and wander in small parties through the woods and lanes for 

 the rest of the year. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. The whole of the head, 

 chin, throat, and a median line running down the breast are 

 of a glossy blue black ; cheeks white ; mantle yellowish 

 olive, prolonged forwards to end in a light spot on the nape ; 

 wing coverts and tail bluish grey, quills darker. Under 

 parts greenish yellow. Length 5 '7 5 in. ; wing 2*85 in. 



The young are somewhat paler, but otherwise resemble 

 their parents. 



A common resident throughout the whole country, except 

 the extreme north. 



THE COAL TIT 



Parus ater, Linnaeus 



The Coal Tit is often found as a near neighbour of the 

 Blue Tit, but is never so abundant and familiar. It prefers 

 clumps of trees bordering open commons and moors, but it 

 may sometimes be seen on the outskirts of woods. 



The nest is always placed near the ground, in either a 

 hole of a post or tree, and not infrequently, when suitable 

 holes are scarce, mouse-burrows in the ground itself are 

 chosen. It is chiefly composed of moss and lined with hair 



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