The Marsh Tit 



consists of the usual materials, but sometimes willow-down 

 is used in addition for a lining, a material never found in 

 the nests of other Tits. 



The note is a three-syllabled chirp bearing a family 

 resemblance to that of the other species. The food consists 

 of insects and seeds of various kinds which it seeks with the 

 unceasing energy characteristic of this genus. 



The sexes are alike and of an olive brown colour on the 

 back ; head and nape glossy black ; cheeks white ; chin 

 black ; under parts whitish, becoming buff on the flanks. 

 Length 4*5 in. ; wing 2*45 in. 



The young are duller and have no gloss on the head and 

 nape. 



This species is local, but well distributed in England and 

 Wales ; in Scotland it is rare and only recorded from two or 

 three counties. 



Recently it has been suggested that there is in our 

 islands another species of Tit (P. salicaria) called the Willow 

 Tit. Except that in habits it is apparently more local and 

 restricted to marshy places, there seems to be little to 

 distinguish it, and in plumage it is practically identical with 

 the young Marsh Tit, the absence of gloss on the head 

 being the most characteristic feature. 



THE BLUE TIT 



Parus coeruleus, Linnaeus 



This bird is very similar in its actions to the Great Tit, 

 but is more often seen in gardens than the latter. It is 



79 



