E. HARTERT: BRITISH PECULIAR FORMS. 213 



maybe, Ireland, but I do not know on whose authority 

 Stejneg-er states (Smiths. Misc. Coll., 48, p. 480) that it is 

 "the breeding bird of Ireland," a statement which is 

 certainly quite wrong.] 



The Titmice are the most interesting British birds for 

 students of geographical distribution, because all the 

 forms of this family differ from their continental repre- 

 sentatives, with the excei^tion of the Bearded Tit, Fanurus 

 hiarmicus. 



7. — Parus major newtoni Prazak. 



British Great Titmouse. 



Parus major newtoni Prazak, "Orn. Jahrb.," V., j). 23^ 

 (1894— England). 



Easily distinguishable from Parus major major of con- 

 tinental Eurojje (tyj)ical in Scandinavia, Germany, France, 

 Holland, Belgium, etc.) by its stout, powerful bill. The 

 alleged differences in colour are not constant. 



8. — Parus caeruleus obscurus Prazak. 



British Blue Titmouse. 



Parus caeruleus obscurus Prazak, "Orn. Jahrb.," Y., j^. 246 

 (1894— England). 



Differs from P. caeruleus caeruleus of continental 

 Europe in being darker and more greenish — less bright 

 and less yellowish — on the back ; size generally smaller, 

 bill comparatively thicker ; the white tips to the inner 

 secondaries are as a rule narrower and are cut off in a 

 straight line. 



9. — Parus ater britannicus Sharpe & Dress. 



British Coal-Titmouse. 



Parus hritannicus Sharpe and Dresser, "Ann. and Mag. 

 Nat. Hist.," ser. 4, VIIL, p. 437 (1871— England). 



Differs from P. ater ater in having the back greyish 



