TITMOUSE. INSESSORES. PARUS. 245 



the herbage of the fenny districts of our island. It has been 

 found in the marshes between Erith and London, in some 

 parts of Gloucestershire, as well as in the extensive marshy 

 tracts near Cowbit in Lancashire ; and MONTAGU mentions 

 having killed it near Winch elsea in Sussex, amongst the reeds 

 which there grow close to the sea-shore. I have not met with 

 it in the more northern counties, nor in any part of Scotland, 

 although constantly inquired after in all such places as were 

 likely to afford it an appropriate retreat. From the difficult 

 situations in which it resides, its history in this country is but 

 little known, and the nest has not yet been found, or at least 

 has not been distinguished from that of the Reed- Wren, 

 which inhabits the same places*. TEMMINCK tells us, that Nest, &c. 

 the nest is affixed to the stems of the reeds, and always placed 

 beyond the reach of the highest floods, but he does not men- 

 tion the materials of which it is formed. We also learn from 

 him, that it lays six or eight reddish- white eggs, spotted with 

 reddish-brown, principally disposed around the larger end. It 

 is dispersed throughout the greater part of Europe, in its 

 peculiar localities, and is, as might be expected, particularly 

 abundant in Holland. It is also found in Asia, upon the 

 marshy borders of the Caspian Sea. 



Its food consists of aquatic insects and their larvae ; with Food, 

 the seeds of such plants and grasses as affect moist situations. 



PLATE 51. Fig. 6. Natural size. 



Bill orange-yellow. I rides bright gamboge-yellow. Be- General 

 tween the bill and eyes is a tuft of loose pendent black 

 feathers on each side, forming moustaches. Head, neck, 

 and breast fine bluish-grey ; the latter with a tinge of 



* Since the publication of the first Edition, the nest has been repeatedly 

 met with, and I have now by me one that was obtained in Essex. It is 

 formed entirely of the smaller seed-bearing stems of the reed, and is placed 

 in the tufts of grass that grow in marshy situations. The eggs are four or 

 five, with a pinkish tinge, and with irregular specks, spots, and fine streaks 

 of brown disposed over the whole surface. 



