13 



Case 136. 



MARSH TITMOUSE {Parus palustris). 



A resident species, frequenting low-lying land and swampy ground 

 near woods. Insects form its principal food, and in winter the seeds 

 and berries of various plants. The nest, made of moss, wool and hair, 

 with a lining of down, is usually placed in a hole in some decayed tree 

 stump (here seen in stump of willow). Five to eight white eggs, spotted 

 with bright red (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 3), are laid from 

 the end of April onwards. 



Case 137i 



COAL TITMOUSE {Parus ater). 



A resident but somewhat locally distributed species, frequenting 

 woods, plantations and shrubberies, particularly such as contain firs. 

 Insects form the principal food but seeds are also eaten by them. 

 The nest is placed in the crevice of a loosely-built wall, as here shown, 

 or in a hole in a rotten stump, often excavated by the bird, near the 

 ground. It is built of moss, mixed with wool and hair felted together. 

 The eggs, from six to eight in number, are white, spotted or speckled 

 with bright red (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 3). 



Case 138 



GREAT TITMOUSE {Parus major). 

 Local names : Ox-eye Tit, Sawsharper. 

 An abundant resident frequenting woods, gardens or enclosed and 

 sheltered districts generally. Insects form its main food, supplemented 

 in autumn and winter with a variety of hard seeds. The nest, consisting 

 of a foundation of moss, with a thick felted layer of short hairs, is 

 usually built in a hole of a wall, as here shown, or in a tree, but many 

 odd sites, such as the inside of a pump or pillar post box, are frequently 

 chosen. The eggs, from six to twelve in number, are white, blotched, 

 spotted or speckled with light red (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, 

 drawer 3). 



Case 139. 



BLUE TITMOUSE {Parus cceruleus). 

 Local names : Blue Nope, Blue Cap. 

 A common resident, tame and familiar in winter, frequenting 

 orchards and gardens in the neighbourhood of dwellings. Insects and 

 their larvae form its principal food, supplemented in autumn by fruit, 

 but the small damage done in the gardens is more than compensated for 

 by the wholesale destruction of insect pests. The nest is made of moss, 

 hair and feathers, and is generally placed in a hole in a tree, as here 

 shown, or a wall. Six to nine white eggs are laid in April (see British 

 Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 3). 



