THE MARSH TIT. 



Parus palustris, Linnjeus ; La M^sange des marais, Buffok ; Der Sumpfmeise, 

 Beghstein. 



The length of this bird is four inches and a half, of which 



the tail measures nearly two ; the beak is four lines in length, 

 and black ; the shanks are five lines high, and lead blue ; the 

 upper part of the head, as far as the nape, is black ; the tem- 

 ples and cheeks are white ; the upper part of the body is 

 brownish grey ; the throat is black. 



The female has less black on the throat than the male. 



Habitation. — In their wild state, these birds, during the summer, fre- 

 quent groves and orchards ; in winter, they assemble in flocks, and when 

 they move from place to place, always fly in a line one behind the other *. 



In the house they should be allowed to flutter and bop about freely ; 

 they are very delicate, and require a gieat deal of care at first. 



Food. — When wild, they feed on insects, seeds, and elderberries, 

 according to the season. 



In the house they eat the same things as other tite ; but at first, ants* 

 eggs and elderberries must be added. The seeds of the sunflower {Helian- 

 thus major) have succeeded best with me, and preserved them in health 

 longest. They will also eat hemp-seed and oats. 



Brerding They lay ten or twelve rusty white eggs, spotted with 



reddish yellow, in a hole of a tree, on a bed of moss, hair, and feathers. 



Mode of Taking. — In winter they will easily enter a trap baited with 

 nut kernels or oats. A surer method is, to lay limed twigs on a sunflower 

 plant, the seeds of which are ripe. If these tits do not enter the garden, 

 o plant must be carried to a place much frequented by them. When once 

 these birds have tasted these seeds, they appear quite contented in the 

 bouse. It is only necessary to supply them freely ; they will seize them 

 eagerly directly after being taken. 



Attractive Qualities. — Their pretty actions please, and their song is 

 sweet. They relieve it occasionally by a lively strain, " dtar, diar, hitzi 

 ailtz, aillz /'' which is their call in the pairing season. 



I was never able to keep one in the house beyond two or three years. 



» They are not uncommon in Britain, such as about London, &c. — Translator. 



