244 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



always dull black not glossy ; sides of neck usually more buff 

 (sometimes pinkish-buff) ; flanks and under tail-coverts varying 

 in shade but always deeper buff (sometimes pinkish-buff) and 

 usually this is a very clearly marked difference ; outer edgings to 

 secondaries and greater wing-coverts usually much more huffish 

 than in P. p. dresseri ; outer tail-feathers usually shorter in propor- 

 tion to other tail-feathers than in P\ p. dresseri (see under measure- 

 ments). Moults apparently as in P. p. dresseri. 



Juvenile. Like that of P. p. dresseri and impossible to dis- 

 tinguish except when buff edgings to secondaries and shortness of 

 outer tail-feathers are well marked ; occasionally flanks are buffer 

 than in juvenile P. p. dresseri. 



Measurements and structure. <$ wing 56-62 mm., tail 47-52 

 (outer tail-feather 5-6 mm. shorter than longest), tarsus 16-17, 

 bill from skull 10-11 (12 measured). $ wing 56-61. Wing-formula 

 and other structure as in P. pahistris dresseri. 



Soft parts. As as in P. palustris dresseri. 



CHARACTERS AND ALLIED FORMS. P. a. salicarius (middle Germany, 

 Austria) has longer wing and paler brown mantle, P. a. rhenanus 

 (west Germany, Holland, Belgium, France) is intermediate in colour 

 and length of wing between the last and P. a. kleinschmidti, P. a. 

 montanus (Alps) is more like P. a. borealis (see p. 245) but larger 

 and slightly darker on mantle, P. a. assimilis (mountains south- 

 east Europe) is much like P. a. borealis but with a finer bill and 

 more buff flanks ; other forms are found in Asia, and P. a. atri- 

 capillus and other forms in North America. All forms of the 

 species are distinguished from all forms of P. palustris by dull 

 black, instead of glossy black, crown. 



FIELD-CHARACTERS. Only distinguishable in field from Marsh-Tit, 

 by dull sooty crown, and light buff edges to secondaries, which 

 form a fairly defined light line on wing. Characteristic note a 

 penetrating " tchay, tchay, tchay " (F.C.R.J.). 



BREEDING-HABITS. Excavates a spherical chamber in soft rotten 

 wood, often of willows or alders, with an entrance hole leading 

 into it, made by the birds. Nest. A thin pad of down mixed 

 with wood-fibre, but no moss, and far less bulky as a rule than 

 that of the Marsh -Tit. Eggs. 6 to 9, white, spotted, in some 

 cases sparingly, but richly in others, with dark or light brown -red, 

 often forming a zone. Average of 17 eggs, 15.2x12.4 mm. 

 Breeding-season. Early May in England, about a week later in 

 Scotland. Incubation. Probably about 13 days ; details lacking. 

 Apparently one brood. 



FOOD. Probably very similar to that of Marsh -Tit, but records 

 not distinguished. 



DISTRIBUTION. Apparently confined to Great Britain. Distribution 



