This bird is the rarest of our common species of Tits, although in some places it outnumbers the Coal. In habits it is very similar to its congeners, but is perhaps more partial to young alder and willow plantations than some of the others. Its name would lead us to suspect that it especially frequents marshy spots, but this is not the case. It chooses for its nesting-site a hole in some decayed stump which it not infrequently hews out for itself, and the nest 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.
MARSH TIT
Parus palustris
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 cœruleus, Linnæus
This bird is very similar in its actions to the Great Tit, but is more often seen in gardens than the latter. It is ever on the move and is extremely fond of a bit of suet—a piece hung on a string in the garden affords throughout the winter months endless opportunities of watching its pretty and fascinating ways. In summer, sunflower seeds are a great attraction; these are removed as soon as they ripen, and taken to some convenient post or branch; there he will hold one between his feet and split it with a few well-directed blows of his bill, and having swallowed the tender kernel he will return again and again to the same sunflower until not a seed is left.