124 YELLOW-BREASTED BIRDS. 



divided centrally by black band from chin to vent. 

 Resident. 



Eggs. — 6, or more, white, with light-red spots and 

 blotches; •? x '55 inch (plate 126). 



Nest. — Of moss, lined with hair and feathers, and 

 placed in holes in walls, trees, rocks, or hollow struc- 

 tures such as iron gate-posts ; also in the foundations 

 of nests of Crows, Rooks, and Magpies. 



Distribution. — General, but less common in north 

 and west of Scotland. 



The Great Tit is much the largest of the Tit tribe. 

 Boldly marked with black, white, yellow, green, and 

 blue, it is more like a bird of the tropics than one 

 readily facing the winters of this northern clime. In 

 summer it is to be sought in wooded situations, where 

 it nests in holes in trees and in walls, and in similar 

 situations ; but it is more easily observed as a winter 

 visitor to gardens, in the bark of the trees of which 

 it seeks the larvae which form its chief diet. Little, 

 however, comes amiss to the omnivorous Great Tit, 

 and a piece of cocoa-nut, suet, or a bone suspended 

 by a string will ensure an early visit. Here, as 

 on the trees, it will perch, swing, or clamber about 

 with eccentric posturings ; at times it holds its food 

 down to a branch and 'hammers' it with powerful 

 bill. This bird seldom goes to the ground. Restlessly 

 roving, sometimes in association with other Tits and 

 clambering birds, but more often keeping their own 

 company, the Great Tits flit, often alone or in pairs, 

 from tree to tree, calling to one another as they go. 

 The bird has a varied repertory of notes ; now it is 



