THE MARSH TITMOUSE 
PARUS PALUSTRIS 
LocaL names in surrounding counties: ‘“ Blackcap”’ 
(Essex). 
Stratus in British Avirauna: A locally distributed 
resident in all suitable districts of England, Wales, and 
the south of Scotland; rarer and more local in Ireland. 
Raprat DistriBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s: The Marsh Titmouse is decidedly more local 
than any of the preceding species, although, given suitable 
localities, itis by no means an uncommon bird within the 
Metropolitan area. It may be met with occasionally in 
almost every spot where there are trees, chiefly during 
autumn and winter, and these wanderings embrace prob- 
ably every spot visited by its three congeners. From 
St. James’s Park and the Green Park outwards it isa 
winter straggler, and may possibly breed in Regent’s Park 
and in the vicinity of Kilburn, in both which places I have 
seen it in summer. As we get out more into the rural 
suburbs the bird is better known, and in many places 
breeds regularly. It is recorded as doing so at Dulwich, 
possibly in Battersea Park, and thence in all suitable 
localities to the limits of its London distribution. It is 
certainly local at Epping, but I note it as a resident at 
Kingsbury, Stanmore, and Elstree, possibly at Hampstead, 
and certainly in the Wembley and Harrow areas.t It may 
also be met with during summer at Southall and Ealing, 
Harlesden, and about the wooded districts west of Worm- 
wood Scrubbs. In Kent and Surrey it is also fairly 
numerous. 
There can be little doubt that the Marsh Titmouse is 
very frequently confused with the Coal Titmouse, and 
consequently thought to be scarcer in the London area 
than is actually the case. Its actions are very similar ; it- 
IIl2 
