208 THE COAL-TIT MARSH-TIT TUFTED TITMOUSE. 



thereby drawing upon themselves the vengeance of the gardener, who 

 prepares his gun, fires at the supposed depredators, and possibly succeeds 

 in killing them ; but he has also succeeded in doing more damage to 

 the healthy buds by his spare shot, than a score of Tits would injure 

 during the entire season. 



The beautiful and elaborate nest which this bird constructs is one 

 of its chief peculiarities. It is oval in shape, and entirely closed, 

 except one small hole at the side, just large enough to admit the bird. 

 The exterior of the nest is usually covered with lichens, and is lined 

 with a thick layer of soft feathers. In this warm and elegant habita 

 tion are laid from ten to fourteen eggs, which are small and very 

 delicately spotted. The entire length of the bird is about live inches 

 and a half. 



THE COAL TIT. 



The Coal-Tit is very similar to the Blue-Tit in form, but smaller, 

 being about four inches in length, and destitute of the lively colors 

 which render that bird so agreeable to the eye. The breast of the 

 Coal-Tit is of a greyish-white, the back yellowish- grey, and the feet 

 and claws of a livid blue; the head and neck are of a deep black, 

 (whence it has been called the Lesser Blackcap,) with a patch of white 

 on each cheek, and another on the nape of the neck. This bird is not 

 very common in England, but in Scotland, where it frequents the 

 forests of pine and fir, it is more abundant, and may be seen through 

 out the year, except in very severe weather, when it departs south 

 ward, or approaches the farm-houses and towns to seek for food. 



THE MARSH-TIT. 



The Marsh-Tit is very like the preceding in color and form, though 

 larger, bat has no white on the nape of the neck. It is very common 

 in the northern parts of England, but is seldom seen in Scotland above 

 Fifeshire, and scarcely ever so far south as London. Although it 

 may be sometimes met with in the woods in dry districts, it is more 

 frequently to be found among the reeds in low marshy tracts, where 

 it makes its nest, generally choosing some decayed willow for a 

 foundation. The Marsh-Tit is also known provincially as the Smaller 

 One eye, Willow-Biter, Joe Bent, &c. 



THE TUFTED TITMOUSE. 



This species is six and a half inches long, and nine in the stretch of 

 the wings. Above, dark bluish -ash ; the front black tinged with 

 reddish. Beneath sullied white, except the sides under the wings, 

 which are pale reddish -brown. Legs and feet greyish blue. Bill 

 black. Iris hazel. The crest high and poin .ed, like that of the common 

 Blue Jay. Tail slightly forked. Tips ol the wings dusky. Tongue 

 blunt erding in four sharp points. Female very similar to the male. 



