Part 6
The adult has the head and neck brownish, rest of the upper parts dark slate grey. Chin, throat and upper breast white, lower breast chestnut, passing into black on the flanks and belly. Bill blackish, legs brown. The young lack the chestnut on the lower parts. Length 7 in.; wing 3·6 in.
THE BEARDED REEDLING Panurus biarmicus (Linnæus)
Extremely scarce and local in our islands, being confined to not more than half-a-dozen localities, this charming little bird, more than any others perhaps of our rarer species, is worth a journey to see. Inhabiting large and extensive reed-beds, it used formerly to be abundant in the fens of Huntingdon, Cambridge, and other eastern counties, but with the reclaiming and draining of the land it has slowly died out, only holding its own in those few places where Nature still reigns supreme. Its exact systematic position is doubtful, as it shows no close affinity with any other known species; one point, however, is absolutely certain, namely that its popular name of "Tit" is quite a misnomer, as it has no connection in appearance or habits with those delightful birds. The naturalist, therefore, who goes to visit him at home must not search for him on trees or look for his nest in holes. As the boat glides quietly past some reed-bed his first acquaintance of this bird will be the clear and unmistakable "ping-ping," a note answered almost immediately by another close by. Soon, if he remains quiet, he will see a small light-brown bird with long tail rise from the reeds and, progressing with undulating flight, settle again a short distance on. Although very tame and unsuspicious, the Bearded Reedling is very hard to watch, owing to the thickness of the reeds in which he lives, but if we wait about patiently we can see a good deal of him as he searches the mud at the base of the reeds for minute molluscs, of which he is extremely fond. These he swallows whole, and having exhausted the treasures of one spot he will run up two reeds, resting one foot on each alternately, with surprising rapidity and then fly off with a merry "ping-ping" to renew his search in some other spot, and possibly, if the place be more open, we may see him scratch up the soft ooze with a peculiar backward motion of both feet and then eagerly scan the spot to see if his labours have met their reward. Early in April he pairs, and a nest of leaves and rushes, deeply cup-shaped and lined with the feathery tops of the reeds, is built. Materials are collected by both sexes, but especially by the cock, while the building itself is entirely carried on by the hen. A clutch of six eggs is laid; they are very round in shape and dead white, freckled with minute black markings. Two broods are reared in the season, the young being fed chiefly on insects. It is essentially a resident species and spends the whole year wandering over the reed-beds in family parties, feeding on insects, molluscs, or seeds, the party keeping together by a continual use of the call-note. At nightfall they all gather close together on some broken reed, where they sleep securely till dawn awakens them to another day of restless work and energy.
The general colour above is tawny orange, the secondaries are striped with rufous buff and black, the tail is long, wedge-shaped, and of the same colour as the back. Chin and throat whitish, becoming pinker on the breast and passing into tawny brown on the flanks; under-tail coverts black. The male has the crown of the head a delicate grey and a black moustache of elongated feathers running downwards from the lores and beneath the eye. In the females this moustache is wanting and the crown of the head is brown, but otherwise they resemble the male. The young differ from the female in having the crown and back striped with black. Length 6·75 in.; wing 2·25 in.
THE LONG-TAILED TIT Acredula caudata (Linnæus)
There must be few of us who have not noticed this charming little bird when we are walking in winter along a hedgerow. We are attracted by a high-pitched "zi-zit" as the bird darts from the hedge in front of us, and after a few yards of undulating flight settles again. It is not alone, for another and yet another Tit follows till the whole family party are busy at work hopping and creeping about the hedge. Shortly the whole proceeding takes place again, the family procession moving on to search for food in a new spot. All this goes on daily during the winter months; up one hedgerow, down another; now hopping up a tree, occasionally visiting a small wood, ever on the move, and ever restless, till the evening comes, when the little party gather to rest, sitting close to each other on some slender bough.
In April, however, this roving life ends. The cock bird seeks a mate and they proceed to make a summer home, sometimes in an open hedgerow, but more often in the hedge bordering a wood, or in some isolated bush in the wood itself. It would be difficult to imagine anything more beautiful than their nest, which is perhaps the most elaborate of any of our British Birds! It is a solid thick-walled elliptical mass of felted moss completely covered externally with lichens, which are largely interwoven by means of cobwebs. The entrance, for it is entirely covered in, is towards the upper end, and the interior is lined with horsehair and innumerable feathers, as many as seven hundred having been counted in a single nest.
The full complement of eggs is at least ten, and two broods are often reared in a season.
This species is entirely insectivorous and less destructive to the buds of fruit-trees than any other kind of Tit, so that no one can have any excuse for destroying this beautiful little bird that does so much to brighten our hedgerows during the dull months of winter.
The sexes are alike. The forehead and crown are white, bordered by a dark stripe, which runs from the bill over the eye to join the black of the nape and back. Wings dark brown; scapulars and rump pinkish; tail feathers black, the three outer pairs broadly tipped and margined with white. Under parts dull white and tinged with pink on the flanks and belly. The young are duller. Length 5·5 in.; wing 2·4 in.
Continental specimens are said to be distinguishable from our native birds.
It is common throughout our islands except in Scotland, where it is somewhat local.
THE GREAT TIT Parus major, Linnæus
On a bright morning in winter, when the leafless branches of the trees bear white traces of the night frost, whose tonic power is felt by man, as well as the lower orders of Nature, we shall not walk far before the rasping "che-chi, che-chi" of the little Saw-sharpener, as he is often called, breaks on our ears. We soon see him climbing about on the branches of some wayside tree; never still, now hanging head downwards as he inspects a bud, seeking for the insect it may contain, or plucking some berry he holds it between his feet, and with a few sharp hammerings of his powerful little beak breaks it open, swallows the seed, and then flits on to the next tree to resume his untiring search for food. Bright in colour, lively in habits and in song, he is such a cheery little fellow that we cannot help regretting the antagonism that is bound to exist between him and the gardener, as the latter watches his promising buds ripped off by this gay-plumaged marauder. True, he is seeking the insect contained in the bud, but in that search it is not to be denied that many an unaffected bud has to suffer. Woods and orchards are his chief haunts, but gardens are frequently visited, and if nest-boxes with small holes be hung up on the trees round the house he and his mate may often be induced to hatch and rear their family under our protection and observation. In spring his saw-sharpening note becomes elaborated into a merry little song, and he proceeds in company with his mate to choose a nesting-site--this is always in a hole in a wall or tree, or even in a letter-box; the cavity within may be fairly large, but the entrance thereto is often very small--ridiculously so for the size of the bird. The nest is a large accumulation of moss, the whole space being filled up level and a little cup-like hollow being sunk in part of it. About ten eggs, white with a few reddish-brown blotches, are laid. The hen bird sits very closely and vigorously pecks at any intruding hand. The period of incubation is very short, being only from ten to twelve days, and the young, which are fed almost exclusively on insects, leave their home in about a fortnight, and wander in small parties through the woods and lanes for the rest of the year.
The sexes are alike in plumage. The whole of the head, chin, throat, and a median line running down the breast are of a glossy blue black; cheeks white; mantle yellowish olive, prolonged forwards to end in a light spot on the nape; wing coverts and tail bluish grey, quills darker. Under parts greenish yellow. Length 5·75 in.; wing 2·85 in.
The young are somewhat paler, but otherwise resemble their parents.
A common resident throughout the whole country, except the extreme north.
THE COAL TIT Parus ater, Linnæus
The Coal Tit is often found as a near neighbour of the Blue Tit, but is never so abundant and familiar. It prefers clumps of trees bordering open commons and moors, but it may sometimes be seen on the outskirts of woods.
The nest is always placed near the ground, in either a hole of a post or tree, and not infrequently, when suitable holes are scarce, mouse-burrows in the ground itself are chosen. It is chiefly composed of moss and lined with hair and feathers, and the eggs, eight to ten in number, are white speckled with brown, much resembling those of other Tits.
The young are fed entirely on insects, and after leaving the nest wander about in family parties, gradually scattering over the country, but seldom becoming so familiar in the haunts of man and vicinity of towns as the Blue Tit.
The sexes are alike. The head, neck, and upper breast are a glossy blue black; the cheeks and a nuchal spot white; back grey, browner on the rump; wing coverts tipped with white to form two bars. Breast whitish, passing to pale brown on the flanks and belly. Length 4·25 in.; wing 2·4 in.
The young lack the gloss on the head, and the white cheeks and nape are tinged with yellow.
This species may readily be distinguished from the Marsh Tit by the white nuchal spot.
THE MARSH TIT Parus palustris, Linnæus
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.
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, 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.
Any dark cavity will suit it for a nesting-site, either a hole in some tree or post, an old tin carelessly thrown in a hedge, or some artificial nest-box in the garden, but it will rarely be nearer the ground than about six feet. It has a very short but bright song, which may often be heard in spring, and its call-note is a single "tzee."
It is a very common resident, wandering in small parties all over the country during the winter months and even penetrating the heart of our large cities, where it becomes very tame and confiding.
The sexes are alike in plumage. The back is yellowish green; tail and wings blue; wing coverts tipped with white; the crown is cobalt blue encircled by a white line running backwards across the forehead. The chin is blue, and a blue line runs through each eye to the nape, and, encircling the white cheeks, runs forward again to meet the blue chin. Under parts sulphur yellow with a black streak down the centre of the chest. Length 4·3 in.; wing 2·4 in.
The young are very similar but rather duller in colour.
It is common and generally distributed throughout our islands, becoming rather scarce and more local in the northwest of Scotland.
THE CRESTED TIT Parus cristatus, Linnæus
A few favoured spots in Scotland are the only resorts of this bird in our islands.
It is a forest species, haunting pine woods, from which it seldom wanders far. Like the Marsh Tit, it frequently excavates its own nesting-hole, which is generally at no great distance from the ground. In all its actions and habits it resembles its congeners.
The sexes are alike. The general colour above is olive brown, beneath white, turning to buff on the flanks. The feathers of the head are black, broadly edged with white and prolonged into a conspicuous crest. A black streak runs backwards from the eye on each side to join its fellow on the nape, whence it turns forward and encircling the cheeks, which are white mottled with black, joins up with the black chin. Length 4·5 in.; wing 2·5 in.
The young are duller and have hardly any crest.
THE NUTHATCH Sitta cæsia, Wolf
The Nuthatch is fairly well distributed over the woodland portions of our southern and midland counties, becoming rarer towards the north. In Scotland it has only been observed in a few counties, and has never been met with in Ireland.
It is a very shy bird, but is most interesting to observe, as he runs up and down with extreme facility, assuming, as he does so, many graceful and curious positions. Unlike the Woodpeckers, which only run up the trees, it seems quite immaterial to this species whether he be going up, down, or sideways, forwards or backwards, for in all positions he seems equally at home. He will be more often heard than seen as the sharp, shrill note will betray his whereabouts, though by keeping on the far side of the tree he avoids being seen. Insects are largely eaten in summer, but seeds, berries, nuts, and beechmast form his chief food. Nuts and hard seeds are taken to some convenient crevice in the bark and hammered with the sharp, hard bill until an entrance having been effected, the kernel can be pulled out and eaten. Some hole in a tree or wall, or more rarely in a bank, is chosen as the nesting-site; the entrance is generally plastered up with mud till only a small circular hole, just large enough to admit the bird, is left. The inside of the cavity is lined with a few leaves and scraps of bark on which five to seven eggs, boldly marked with reddish brown, are laid. These eggs bear a close resemblance to those of the Great Tit, but are, as a general rule, rather larger. In the courting season the male has a pretty little song, and "shows off" to the female as he chases her up and down the trees. It is a strictly resident species and may be found in the same spot throughout the year.
The general colour of the upper parts is bluish grey, but all the tail feathers, except the central pair, are blackish, barred and tipped with white and grey. A black stripe runs through the eye from the base of the bill. The under parts are pale rufous shading to chestnut on the flanks and under-tail coverts. Length 5·7 in.; wing 3·4 in.
The female and young are rather duller in colour.
THE WREN Troglodytes parvulus, K. L. Koch
There must be few people who have not heard a long and clear song sounding almost at their side, when walking along some garden path or along the edge of a wood, and on investigation have found that this song, so disproportionate in volume to the size of the bird that utters it, proceeds from one of the smallest of our birds, the Wren. Skulking as a rule in the thick hedge bottom, among undergrowth in woods, or in a tangle of brambles on a common, he will suddenly hop on to an outstanding spray, rattle off his little song, and then with quick whirring beats of his wings dive into the undergrowth again a few yards off. Always bright and perky as he hops along, with his short tail held up at right angles to the body, he searches for any small seeds or insects which he can find, and as he appears so cheerful, even in the most severe weather, it is not surprising that he has won a way to our hearts, and next to the Robin is the most favoured bird in England. The nest is a beautiful domed structure, very cleverly concealed among the ivy on a wall or tree, or sometimes in a grassy bank or the side of a stack. It is composed of leaves, moss, bents, etc., so arranged and chosen as to harmonise well with its surroundings. The entrance is a narrow round hole, and the interior is warmly lined with hair and feathers.
Nest-building seems to be an occupation in which these birds delight, and several nests are generally built by each pair; one only, however, is lined, the others being left quite rough inside. These so-called "cocks' nests" are used, however, as roosting-places, and if the eggs be destroyed they may be lined and used as their home for a second clutch. The eggs, six to eight in number, are white, sparsely spotted with red. In this country the wren is a resident and seldom wanders far from its home, a habit which has resulted in the birds inhabiting some of our outer islands, like St. Kilda, becoming recognisable as distinct from the mainland form. In winter, however, our native stock receives considerable additions from the Continent, but a return migration in spring has not been noticed.
The whole bird is of a uniform reddish brown, rather lighter on the chin and throat, minutely barred with black. There is a dull white streak over each eye. Length 3·5 in.; wing 1·9 in.
The female is rather smaller and duller, and the young are less distinctly barred.
THE TREE-CREEPER Certhia familiaris, Linnæus
The Tree-Creeper is a common species, but from its quiet ways and dull colour seldom noticed. It is with us the whole year, spending its time in an unceasing search for small insects on the bark of trees. In its habits and food it is not unlike the Woodpeckers, climbing up with a series of jerks, and, when observed, shifting at once to the far side of the tree.
It has a short but pleasing little song, which is not often heard, and the call-note is a low and plaintive "cheep." It is solitary in habits, and more than one are seldom seen together, except in the breeding season. The nest is placed behind a piece of loose bark and is merely an accumulation of roots, grass, and moss, with a lining of wool and feathers. The eggs are white, minutely spotted with reddish.
The sexes are alike and have the feathers of the upper parts dark brown with pale centres, becoming lighter on the rump; under parts, silvery white. Flight feathers dark brown, barred with buffish white. Tail feathers stiff and pointed and dull reddish brown in colour. Length 4·75 in.; wing 2·5 in.
It is common and abundant throughout our islands.
THE WALL-CREEPER Tichodroma muraria (Linnæus)
Very few examples of this species, whose home is in the mountainous regions of Europe, have occurred in these islands. It spends its life climbing over the bare and precipitous surfaces of rock, searching for spiders and other insects on which it feeds.
The general colour is slate grey with crimson wing coverts and a black throat. The tail feathers are not stiff as in the preceding species. Length 6 in.; wing 3·9 in.
THE PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla lugubris, Temminck
"Chizzit, chizzit," and looking round we see our little grey friend as he passes with his peculiar and characteristic dipping flight across the field towards the ivy-clad wall. Every year he comes with unfailing regularity to rear his brood near the same spot. It is an old red-brick wall, thickly covered with ivy, which has concealed the various nooks and crannies brought about by the winter's frosts and the heat of the summer sun. In such a place the Pied Wagtail delights to build his nest. Although not strictly speaking a migrant, for some individuals spend the whole year with us, he nevertheless appears with unfailing regularity towards the end of April at his accustomed haunt, and probably brings his mate with him, for we seldom see more than a pair together at their breeding quarters, and thus quietly, and without any demonstration, the nest-building is begun. This is usually done in the very early hours of the morning, and the day is spent in some neighbouring field among the cattle, with occasional excursions to the side of the stream for the frequent bath which has earned for this species the name of "Polly Dishwasher."
When the nest, which is composed of grass and bents lined with horsehair, is completed, the six grey and speckled eggs are laid and incubation, which is solely carried on by the hen, begins.