MARSH TITMOUSE 



Parus palustns 



N most parts of the British Islands where the Marsh Tit 

 occurs it is a resident; though during the autumn 

 months it wanders about considerably, appearing in some 

 numbers in one locality for a few weeks, and as suddenly 

 disappearing again. It seems to be pretty generally 

 distributed throughout our Islands, and is recorded as 

 breeding in most districts. 



From its name one would suppose that the Marsh Tit would be found 

 among the reeds and sedges which are the chief features of marshes. Its 

 habitat, however, is among the trees and bushes round sheets of water, on 

 the banks of rivers and burns, in well-cultivated districts and in gardens 

 and plantations. It is not so often found in very dry districts as other 

 members of its genus, and, owing to its unobtrusive habits, has perhaps 

 been frequently overlooked, or confused with others of the Tit family. 



It is generally seen in company with Blue Tits or Coal Tits, and scarcely 

 differs in its habits from these birds. It is quite as active as any of them, 

 and twists itself into almost every conceivable attitude as it searches for 

 insects on the buds of the trees. Sometimes it hovers at the end of a 

 branch with whirring wings, or hangs upside down from a twig by one leg; 

 at other times it may be seen creeping up the rough bark of some tree, 

 reminding one rather of the action of a creeper. It is chiefly insectivorous 

 in its diet, but is fond of fruits of all kinds and seeds, and, like most other 

 Tits, is at once attracted to any bone, lump of fat, or piece of meat which 

 is put out in the garden in winter. 



The Marsh Tit is rather a silent bird compared with the Coal Tit and 

 Blue Tit, but its loud plaintive notes, ' fay, fay, fay, fay,' may be frequently 

 heard as it flies from tree to tree in some wood calling to its mate. In 

 VOL. in. 2 B 93 



