205 



Parus cincUis Bodd. Dresser, Birds of Europe, III, p. 125; id. 

 Mau. Pal. Birds, p. 172. P. eindus Bodd. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, 

 p. 365. 



Breeding Range: N. Scandinavia, Lapland, and N. Russia. [Also 

 W. Siberia.] 



In Norway this species is found fi'om Hallingdal in the Langfjeld con- 

 (60i°N) and the Dovre up to the limit of tree growth in the N., but on ^"^"*'' 

 the southern high fjelds is only met with in the pine forests above the 

 spruce belt. In Sweden its range is less extensive and it does not breed 

 S. of Lycksele, about 64" or 65" N. It is tolerably common in the forests 

 of Russian Lapland and the Kola peninsula, but its range does not extend 

 into Finland. It is however a common resident in the forests of the 

 Archangel government, and is found on the Petschora to within the 

 Arctic Cii'cle, and also in the N. Urals. [Also in Siberia W. of the 

 Yenisei, but is replaced by the Eastern race, P. eindus ohtedus Cab. in 

 E. Siberia.] 



The most usual situation appears to be in an old Woodpecker's Nest. 

 hole in a conifer, but sometimes it is found in a cleft or natural hollow 

 and occasionally in a 'tylla' or nest box. The foundation consists of moss 

 and sometimes black lichens, on which is placed a thick layer of felted 

 hair, usually of the Lemming, Field Voles, or Alpine Hare, with occasion- 

 ally a few Reindeer hairs. Wolley has also recorded willow down and 

 feathers from the lining in exceptional cases, and noticed that some nests 

 were built upon those of the Redstart, from which the original owners 

 had been ejected. 



Usually 6 — 7 in number, but 8 and 9 have been recorded. They Eggs. 

 are white, spotted with pale rusty brown, and as a rule rather sparsely 

 marked, and with rather finer and paler spots than most eggs of Tits. 

 In a large series however some sets will be found with much bolder 

 and darker markings than others. 



The eggs are laid as a rule in the last week of May or the first Breeding 



1 • r Season. 



week in June. 



Average of 125 eggs (63 by the writer, 37 by Bau, and 25 by Rey), Moasure- 

 16.97 X 12.7 mm.. Max. 18.3 X 12.5 and 17.3 X 13.5, Min. 15.3 x 13 ""«""• 

 and 15.8x12 mm. Nordling records eggs 15.2x11.8 and 16x11.6. 

 Average weight of 37 eggs, 87 mg. (Bau): Rey gives 82 mg. 



95. Sombre Tit, Parus lugubris Temm. 

 Geographical Races. 



a. Dalmatian Sombre Tit, P. lugubris lugubris Temm. 

 Eggs: Baedeker, Tab. 43, fig. 14 (?j. 



