THE BEARDED TITMOUSE loi 



and Germany it is said to be a summer visitor only, 

 but further information is desired. Examples of 

 this species become paler towards the eastern 

 limits of its distribution, and Central Asian birds 

 were described by Bonaparte as Panurus sibiricus. 

 As birds almost if not quite as pale may be met 

 with in the extreme western areas, this form can 

 only be regarded as sub-specifically distinct. We 

 have no record of the Bearded Titmouse south of 

 the Mediterranean or north of Pomerania, whilst it 

 is extremely rare and local in the Levant. 



The favourite, we might almost say the exclusive 

 haunts of the Bearded Titmouse are reed beds. In 

 England these are few and far between nowadays. 

 It is a somewhat secretive species, skulking 

 amongst the reeds and sedges when too closely 

 approached, although sometimes seen flitting across 

 the open waterways in an uncertain, undulatory 

 manner, or clinging to some tall bending stem. 

 During autumn and winter the Bearded Titmouse, 

 or " Reed Pheasant," as it is locally termed in the 

 Broad district, lives in flocks and parties of varying 

 size, which roam about the reed forests in quest 

 of food ; but in spring and summer it is met with 

 in pairs alone. Seebohm, who specially visited the 

 Broads to observe the habits of this bird, describes 



