Tit

Tit, the popular name of any bird of the typical group of the Passerine family Paridae. The birds of this group are widely distributed, but more abundant in the northern than in the southern hemisphere. The short strong bill is feathered at the base, the wings are of moderate length, the tail is rounded or even, the legs are slender, and the long, curved claws give these birds a firm grip of the branches of trees, to which they often cling back downwards in search of insects, which constitute their chief food. Grain and fruit, however, do not come amiss to them; at times they will feed on carrion, and they occasionally prey on young and sickly birds. The Blue Tit (Parus coeruleus) and the Coal Tit (P. ater) are the commonest British species, The former owes its name. to the blulsh tinge in its plumage, the latter to its black head and neck. The Great Titmouse (P. major), or Ox-eye, about six inches long, is black on the head and throat, white on the cheeks, yellowish on the back, breast and sides and has the wings and tail grey. The Crested Tit (P. cristatus) is rare and local. The Long-tailed Tit (Acredula caudata). also called the Bottle Tit from the shape of its nest, is common. The Marsh Tit (P. palustris) is rare, as is the Bearded Tit or Reedling (Panurus biarmicus), which belongs to another family.