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 dressert Stejneger]. This 
subspecies is confined to England and Wales, but is absent 
from Scotland. 
Bird. Length44in. 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, tom-tit [Parus ceruleus obscwrus 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 
ceruleus ceruleus, which is larger and of brighter coloration. 
Bird. Length 44 in. The adults readily distinguished by 
the blue of the cap, tail and wings, the green back, and 
