The Bird Book 



and quite a foot to one side, continuing to climb as 

 if nothing unusual had happened, till, judging the 

 deception complete, it flew off in search of more 

 material. 



The Tits, however, form the bulk of the pro- 

 cession we are watching. Four species are 

 frequently met with and we should be able to 

 distinguish them at a glance. The Great Tit is at 

 once marked off from his fellows by his superior 

 size. He is a cheerful individual, making the 

 woods ring with his bell-like, see-saw note and 

 dresses to suit his character in a sprightly yellow 

 waistcoat, divided in the middle by a broad, black, 

 velvety band. The crown of the head is jet 

 black, the cheeks white, and the general colouring 

 of the back and wings bluish green. 



The Blue Tit is marked on a similar pattern, 

 but not so audaciously. The black line running 

 down the chest and stomach is almost wanting, 

 while the black crown has been exchanged for one 

 of a beautiful cerulean blue. The two birds that 

 really are in danger of being confused are the Coal 

 and Marsh Tits, but these distinctions may be 

 looked out for. The Coal Tit has a patch of 

 white at the back of the neck and white cheeks 

 outlined, though not very distinctly, with a black 

 border. The crown of the Marsh Tit is entirely 

 black, extending down to the nape of the neck ; 

 the cheeks are whitish yellow and gradually merge 

 into the colour of the breast. Moreover, its back is 

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