The GREAT TIT (_Parus major_) is olive green on the upper part of its
body, and pale yellow beneath; the top of the head, the throat, a stripe
that passes along the body, and another extending from the front of
the throat to the back of the head, are black; the quills and tail are
bluish grey, and the sides of the head and a stripe on the wings white.
The eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot lead-grey. In the
young all the tints are somewhat paler. This species is five inches and
three-quarters long and nine inches broad; the wing measures two inches
and three-quarters, and the tail two inches and a half. The female is
a trifle smaller than her mate. This common Tit is found throughout
Europe from sixty-five degrees north latitude (in the southern part it is
comparatively rarer), and in the whole of Central Asia, and North-western
Africa. Unlike the species above described, these birds have no especial
predilection for forests, but constantly occupy woods, shrubberies, and
gardens, and not unfrequently farm-yards, where they are found to grow
very bold in their endeavours to obtain subsistence.
The summer food of the Great Tit consists of insects, together with the
buds of trees and fruits, to these it adds the crumbs scattered from
the cottage door, of whatever matters they chance to consist, whether
animal or vegetable, its digestive powers being apparently adapted to
great variety. On the approach of spring it becomes noisy and restless,
betaking itself to the top branches of high trees, where it utters its
harsh note for the day together; the note greatly resembles the noise
made by filing a saw, or the creaking of a gate on rusty hinges. The
song of this bird, which is composed of three distinct notes, would be
agreeable were it not for the introduction of occasional harsh grating
tones, as they hop nimbly about the branches in search of food. During
the breeding season the performance is somewhat more pleasing, and the
voice is in many respects not unlike that of the Chaffinch.
"The Great Tit," says Mr. Yarrell, "will frequently kill small birds,
accomplishing his purpose by repeated blows with his sharp beak on
the skull of the victim, and afterwards picking out and eating the
brains. Though more truly a feeder on insects, the Great Tit, unlike
insectivorous birds in general, does not migrate, but remains all the
year round in the same district, apparently unaffected by the very
different temperature of Italy as compared with Russia, and the species
is known to be constantly resident in both countries. In England the
Great Tit is seldom seen on bleak open ground, but inhabits woods,
the vicinity of gardens, or other enclosed and sheltered situations
in summer, where it occasionally feeds on small seeds. In winter it
approaches nearer the habitations of men, and may be seen in hard weather
closely examining the thatch of old buildings in search of the many small
flies that harbour there. As the Great Tit is an early breeder, the
lively chirping notes of the males are heard early in February; sometimes
this bird produces a sound which has been considered to resemble the
noise made in sharpening a saw; and, though this is small praise, his
notes are more remarkable for vivacity and frequent repetition than
for quality of tone. The nest, formed of moss and lined with hair and
feathers, is usually placed in the hollow of a tree, or a hole in a
wall. The deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie is sometimes chosen. Several
observers have recorded the partiality so frequently evinced by this
species to build its nest in or about any old unused wooden pump, and the
mass of materials collected on such occasions wherewith to construct it.
The eggs are from six to nine in number, nine lines and a half in length
and seven lines in breadth; white, spotted and speckled with pale red."
"Rusticus," of Godalming, has given an amusing account of the behaviour
of one of this species which came under his observation:--"The next
object of attention was a Titmouse of the large black-headed kind,
swinging himself about like a rope-dancer, and whistling out his
sing-song just like a fellow sharpening a saw. To my surprise the
gentleman entered an old Magpie's nest, to which I had paid frequent
friendly visits during the previous spring; he immediately came out again
and jumped about, sharpening his saw as before. One might almost as well
handle a hedgehog as a Magpie's nest; in this instance some cuttings of
gooseberry bushes, skilfully woven into an arch above it, rendered it
rather more untempting than usual. I was meditating how to commence the
attack, when another Tit flew out in a great choler, and rated me as
though I had already robbed her. After a good deal of trouble, during
which the slender fir-top was swinging about with me in the breeze, I
succeeded in obtaining a peep into the nest; there was nest within nest,
the cosiest, softest, warmest little nest, with eight delicately speckled
eggs at the bottom of the Magpie's more spacious habitation. I declined
meddling with them."