38 BRITISH BIRDS 



70. Irish coal-tit [Parus ater hibernicus Ogilvie Grant]. 

 Recognised in 1910. Confined to Ireland. 



Bird. Resembles preceding, but distinguished by the 

 sulphur-yellow on the cheek patches, nape, breast, and belly. 



Nest and Eggs. Like those of the British form, as far as 

 known. 



71. Marsh-tit [Parus palustris dresseri Stejneger]. This 

 subspecies is confined to England and Wales, but is absent 

 from Scotland. 



Bird. Length 4J in. About the size of the coal-tit, but has 

 no white patch on the nape. Head 

 and throat glossy black, except the 

 sides of the head, which are dull white 

 inclining to rufous. Upper-parts 

 mostly olive-brown. Wings and tail 

 mostly ash-brown. Under-parts dull 

 white with buff on the flanks. 



Nest. Place: usually in holes in 

 decayed trees. Material : moss lined 

 ,,. ~ . with fur, hair, or down. 



Eggs. Usually 7-8. White spotted 



with reddish. Av. size, '61 x *48 in. Laying begins April-May. 

 One brood usual. 



72. Willow-tit [Parus atricapillus Kleinschmidti (Hellmayr)]. 

 Recognised in 1900. Subspecies confined apparently to Great 

 Britain, but distribution still uncertain. Breeds both in 

 Scotland and England. 



Bird. Distinguished from the marsh-tit by lack of gloss 

 in the black of head and neck, and by rounded end of 

 tail, when partly closed, that of the marsh-tit being straight 

 or nearly so. Sexes alike (?). The willow-tit's notes are 

 distinct from those of the marsh-tit, but the difference has 

 yet to be clearly defined. 



Nest. Place : hole in decayed wood. Said to be excavated 

 by the bird, and in this to be different from the marsh-tit's. 

 Requires verification. Material : said to be scanty. 



Eggs. Differ, as far as known, little from those of the 

 marsh-tit. The markings said to be bolder and richer. 

 Number, size, &c., the same or nearly so. 



73. Blue-tit, torn-tit [Parus cwruleus obscurus Prazak]. 

 Subspecies confined to the British Isles. Not known to 

 emigrate. The blue-tits that come as winter visitors to our 

 east coast belong no doubt to the Continental form, Parus 

 cwruleus coeruleus, which is larger and of brighter coloration. 



Bird. Length 4J in. The adults readily distinguished by 

 the blue of the cap, tail and wings, the green back, and 



