THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 417 



is greyish-brown, strongly approaching to rust-colour, and the rump 

 of a still more pronounced rust-colour ; the sides also are pretty 

 richly suffused with brownish rust-colour. 



The breeding home of this species extends, in Scandinavia and 

 further east, from about 60 N. latitude northwards. It is surprising 

 that the bird has not occurred more frequently on this island ; 

 but the same explanation applies in its case as has been given in 

 regard to the migratory movements of the preceding species 

 of this genus. 



218. Siberian Marsh Titmouse [OESTLICHE MEISE]. 

 PARUS KAMTSCHATKENSIS, Bonaparte. 



Siberian Marsh Titmouse. Dresser, iii. 119. 



On the 1st of November 1876, I had the painful pleasure of 

 seeing an example of this species at a distance of from six to eight 

 paces in front of me, without there being a possibility of obtaining 

 possession of the bird. During my long experience I have re- 

 peatedly been placed in similar situations as, for instance, in the 

 case of Hirundo rufula ; and I can assure my readers that this is 

 no small torture for a zealous ornithologist, especially for one who 

 limits himself to collecting examples within a narrowly confined 

 area. The bird in question was a very handsome example in perfect 

 plumage, with the feathers of the crown of the head of a glossy 

 black, and extending down to the back ; the cheeks of a dazzling 

 white ; the back of a light whitish-grey, which was further set off by 

 a very faint inclination to bluish-grey. The appreciation of these 

 colours stands out so distinctly before my eyes that I could make a 

 picture of them at any moment. In some skins from eastern Asia 

 which are in my possession, the back is not of as beautifully pure 

 grey as was the case in this bird. When I saw it, it was hopping 

 about, for a few moments, in a creeper covering a wall, on which 

 only a few yellow leaves were remaining ; it was in a street in 

 front of my house, but before I was able to fetch any kind of 

 shooting gear, the bird, with the restlessness characteristic of its 

 genus, had flown elsewhere, and could not be recovered, although 

 I had put a prize of ten marks ( = 10s.) upon its head. 



As is indicated by its name, this species inhabits the extreme 

 eastern portion of Asia, and has probably as yet not been seen 

 anywhere else in Europe than in Heligoland. 



2D 



