438 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



reddish-brown spots, sometimes collected round the 

 larger end, at others sparingly scattered over the 

 entire surface ; occasionally without spots altogether. 

 The smaller number of spots, the character and 

 situation of the nest, and the appearance of the 

 parent birds readily identify the eggs of this Tit. 

 Size about .57 by .44 in. (See Plate III.) 



Time. March, April, May, and June. 



Remarks. Resident. Notes: a sharp chirrup 

 or twitter, varied by a lower and hoarser note. 

 Local and other names : Mufflin, Poke Pudding, 

 Longpod, Bottle Tit, Oven-builder, Caper Long- 

 tail, Long-tail Pie, Long-tailed Capon, Bottle Tom, 

 Mum Ruffin, Long-tailed Mag, Huckmuck (a name 

 also applied to the Willow Warbler), Long-tailed 

 Mufflin, etc. Sits closely, with the tip of her tail 

 protruding from the hole. The male keeps the 

 female company in the nest at night time during 

 the period of brooding. 



TIT, MARSH. 



(Partis pa Ins tr is.} 

 Order PASSERES ; Family PARID^: (TITMICE). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about four 

 and a half inches. Bill short, straight, sharp-pointed, 

 and black. Irides dark hazel. Forehead, crown, 

 and nape deep black. Back, wing-coverts, and upper 

 tail-coverts ashy - brown, mixed with a greenish 

 tint. Wing and tail -quills greyish-brown, with 

 edges of a lighter tinge. Cheeks dirty-white ; chin 

 black ; throat and breast dull greyish-white ; belly 

 and vent of the same colour, tinged with brown. 

 Legs, toes, and claws bluish-black. 



