THE MARSH TITMOUSE 



PARUS P4LUSTRIS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : " Blackcap " 

 (Essex). 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A locally distributed 

 resident in all suitable districts of England, Wales, and 

 the south of Scotland ; rarer and more local in Ireland. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : The Marsh Titmouse is decidedly more local 

 than any of the preceding species, although, given suitable 

 localities, it is by no means an uncommon bird within the 

 Metropolitan area. It may be met with occasionally in 

 almost every spot where there are trees, chiefly during 

 autumn and winter, and these wanderings embrace prob- 

 ably every spot visited by its three congeners. From 

 St. James's Park and the Green Park outwards it is a 

 winter straggler, and may possibly breed in Regent's Park 

 and in the vicinity of Kilburn, in both which places I have 

 seen it in summer. As we get out more into the rural 

 suburbs the bird is better known, and in many places 

 breeds regularly. It is recorded as doing so at Dulwich, 

 possibly in Battersea Park, and thence in all suitable 

 localities to the limits of its London distribution. It is 

 certainly local at Epping, but I note it as a resident at 

 Kingsbury, Stanmore, and Elstree, possibly at Hampstead, 

 and certainly in the Wembley and Harrow areas. It may 

 also be met with during summer at Southall and Earing, 

 Harlesden, and about the wooded districts west of Worm- 

 wood Scrubbs. In Kent and Surrey it is also fairly 

 numerous. 



There can be little doubt that the Marsh Titmouse is 

 very frequently confused with the Coal Titmouse, and 

 consequently thought to be scarcer in the London area 

 than is actually the case. Its actions are very similar ; it. 



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