THE YOUNG 



NATURALIST. 



55 



with a transverse black patch behind the 

 ear, the white extending beyond the black, 

 and the white again bordered by a black 

 line ; back, wings, and tail olive brown ; 

 throat black, forming a triangular patch ; 

 under parts white, tinted with reddish 

 brown at sides. 



The Female resembles the male, but 

 has not so fine a crest, and the black patch 

 on the throat does not extend so far down. 



The Young are similar to, but much 

 smaller in colour and markings than the 

 adult. 



Varieties. — I have not seen or heard of 

 any varieties of this species. 



Note. — Meyer says the note of the 

 Crested Tit resembles the syllables " ghir-r- 

 r-kee." 



Plight. — The actions of this species are 

 very much like those of the Blue Tit and 

 Cole Tit, so I am told by a person who 

 has seen plenty in Scotland. 



Migration.— The Crested Tit remains 

 in Scotland throughout the year. 



Food.— The food of this species like 

 that of its congeners, consists of small 

 insects, flies, beetles, larvae, &c, which it 

 hunts from the crevices of bark after the 

 manner of the Tit tribe. 



Habitat.- — This species seems confined 

 to the Northetn portion of our Island, 

 being found in the Pine forests of Scotland. 

 It is by no means common, and is never 

 associated in such quantities as we find of 

 the other species. Odd specimens have 

 been reported as having been seen or killed 

 in the North of England, but they mostly 

 rest upon such slender information as not 

 to be reliable. Two or three specimens 

 have been recorded from Ireland by Mr. 

 Blake Knox, in Dresser's work, and two or 

 three others have been recorded from the 

 South of England in Harting's " Hand 

 Book." 



Abroad. — It is found in many countries 

 of Europe. 



Nest. — The nest of the Crested Tit is 

 placed in a hole in a tree, said generally to 

 be highish up, and is composed of moss, 

 feathers and other soft material. Sir Wm. 

 Milner had the nest and eggs from the 

 Pine woods of Strathspey, where the Crested 

 Tit was not then uncommon. 



Eggs. — The eggs resemble those of the 

 Blue Tit, but rather more mottled at the 

 large end. Mr. Bond says he has Scotch 

 specimens of the eggs in which the spots are 

 larger and brighter than in those of the 

 Blue Tit. 



Varieties. — Mr. Bond has seen a white 

 egg in a clutch, the remainder being the 

 ordinary colour. 



53. COLE TIT. 

 Pants ater. 



Ater— Black. 



Size. — Length, 4^ in. ; expanse, 7^ in. 



Plumage. — Bill black; eyes dark 

 brown ; head both above and below black, 

 with a large white patch on each side over 

 the ears, a smaller one behind, and a fine 

 white ring on the eyelid ; back brownish 

 slate-colour; tail dark brown ; wings brown, 

 greater and lesser wing coverts tipped with 

 white ; under parts white, the black on the 

 breast extending to the breast-bone ; legs 

 lead-colour. 



The sexes are similar in plumage. 



Young. — Like the adult, but duller in 

 colour. 



Varieties of this bird seem to be rare. 

 " I have seen two pied specimens" (F.B.). 



Note. — The note of this species has 

 been expressed by the syllables " zit, zit." 

 It has also a " tee " or " chee " note. These 

 notes are loudest in the spring, silent during 

 the summer, and used again during the 

 autumn. 



