The Newest Tit
A young naturalist (who came to show me some photo- graphs of South African birds) said that during his three- mile walk he had seen and heard two willow tits, a bird that in his opinion is very common in the neighbourhood. I have no doubt whatever that his observation was accurate; but it is probably safe to say that no one else in the parish has noticed a willow tit; and the majority, even of those interested in their local birds, are unaware of the existence of such a species. There can be no question that the species is increas- ing, especially, some of the experts say, along the boundary of Kent and Sussex. Is it also common in the North of London? The bird is difficult to identify by sight, for it very closely resembles the marsh tit. The brown-black of its head is not at any distance distinguishable from the blue-' black of the marsh tit. The ear has an easier task than the eye. The note is described to me as singularly far-reaching and to resemble a telephone bell. It would be interesting to know if other observers have noted the bird in Bedford or Hertford or adjacent shires.
* *
Previous page
