162 BIRD GALLERY. 
No. 70. BEARDED TITMOUSE. (Panurus biarmicus.) 
This resident species, commonly known as the “ Reed-Pheasant,” is 
now almost confined to the Norfolk Broads, the draining of the reedy 
fens and meres having destroyed many of its former breeding-grounds 
in the eastern and southern counties of England. The seeds of the 
reed constitute its principal food, but, in summer, numbers of small 
shell-bearing mollusca are also eaten. The nest, which is placed near 
the water among sedge and weeds, is composed of the dry leaves of 
aquatic plants and lined with the flower of the reed. The eggs, from 
five to seven in number, are white with short wavy lines and markings 
of purplish-brown. Two broods are produced in a season, 
Norfolk, June. 
Presented ly R. W. Chase, Esq. 
No, 71. BLUE TITMOUSE. (Parus ceruleus.) 
This common resident is generally distributed throughout the greater 
part of the British Islands, its numbers being largely augmented in 
autumn by the arrival of flocks from the Continent. Insects and their 
larvee form its principal food; and though this diet is supplemented in 
autumn by fruit, the small amount of damage done in gardens is com- 
pensated for by the wholesale destruction of insect-pests. The nest, of 
moss, hair and feathers, is generally placed in a hole in a tree or wall, 
but other curious sites are sometimes selected. From six to nine 
white eggs, spotted with light red, are laid in April. 
Pembrokeshire, June. 
Presented by R. W. Mirehouse, sq. 
No. 72. MARSH-TITMOUSE. (Parus palustris.) 
This resident species is common throughout the greater part of 
Great Britain, but becomes scarce towards the north of Scotland. 
In Ireland it has been recorded from some of the eastern counties. 
Insects form its principal food, but berries, seeds, and beech-mast are 
also eaten. The nest, made of moss, wool and hair, with a lining 
of down, is usually placed in a hole in some decayed stump of a tree, 
a willow or alder being frequently selected; but, occasionally, a hole 
in a bank is utilized. From five to eight white eggs, spotted with light 
red, are laid from the end of April onwards. 
Suffolk, May. 
Presented by Duncan Parker, Esq. 
» £89 
