272 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
BROWN TIT 
Acanthiza pusilla macularia 
There are three kinds of Tits, all common at one 
point or another of the district ; and sometimes two 
of these, at least, are found together. In the bush, 
without killing the birds, it is only possible to dis- 
tinguish them by learning the several notes and 
observing the kind of trees or shrubs frequented, for 
each in this regard has its predilections. Shortly, one 
may say that the Brown Tit is universally distributed 
through the district in parts where there is bushy 
undergrowth ; that the Little Tit is (outside the 
Eastern Park) only found where there is a good deal 
of acacia, either decurrens (black wattle) or pycnantha 
(golden wattle) ; and that the Striated Tit is confined 
to the gum forests about Ocean Grove (where it is 
rare), and from Jan Juc westwards right through 
the Otway (where it is common). 
If it is desired to kill a bird or two for identification, 
you may observe that the Little Tit is distinguished 
from either of the others by a yellowish wash on the 
belly, and not by its size — for they are all practically 
the same size — the Brown Tit has little roundish or 
crescentic marks on its forehead, and the Striated Tit 
has distinct streaks on its forehead. 
There are two other birds very like these Tits — 
the Tomtit and the Bush Tomtit ; but each of the 
latter has a bright-coloured rump, and none of the 
other Tits has. 
