The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

TIT

The Tit or titmouse is a family of small, rather long-tailed, arboreal birds (Paridae), of which seven species occur in Great Britain. Of these, the blue tit (Parus coeruleus), often known as the tomtit, is the best known, a little bird measuring 10 cm in length, with a blue crown, white cheeks, greenish back, blue wings and tail, and a white breast crossed by a blue line. It is found in most parts of the British Isles, and is a familiar visitor to gardens.
The bearded tit (Panurus biar-micus) is extremely rare, and only occurs in the neighbourhood of the Norfolk Broads. It is 15cm long, and has light brown plumage with a little black and white. The head is bluish grey, and from each cheek grows a tuft of black feathers from which the bird derives its name. It is found among beds of reeds, where it climbs about like a small parrot.
The long-tailed tit (Acredula caudata) is one of the smallest of British birds. The plumage is in the main black and white, with slight tinges of red. It occurs freely in England and Ireland, but is not common in Scotland. It is .found in woods and generally goes . in small parties, visiting hedges and .trees in search of insects. The nest is domed and is made of felted hair, . moss, and lichens, lined with feathers. Over two thousand feathers have been found in a single nest.
The great tit (Parus major), or ox-eye, has a black head and throat, greenish back, white cheeks, and yellow under parts, and it is 15 cm long. It occurs locally in woods , and orchards, but is nowhere abundant. It feeds mainly on insects, but has a distinct liking for carrion.
The marsh tit (Parus palustris) has a black head, grey wings and back, with white cheeks, throat, and breast. It is common in England, rare in Scotland, and absent from Ireland. The crested tit (Parus crisiatus) is distinguished by its pointed crest of black and white feathers. The cheeks are white, the throat black, the under parts white, and the rest of the plumage reddish brown. It is extremely rare, being only found in certain pine forests in the north of Scotland.
Research Tit