72 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Gitmouse. 



THE Marsh Titmouse (Parus patustris, Linnaeus, and Parus 

 palustris Dresser i, Stejneger) is a resident species in some 

 counties in England and Wales, but in Scotland it becomes 

 very local, and in Ireland it appears to be scarce. It is 

 a common resident throughout Central Europe, but in 

 Southern Europe it becomes scarcer. The adult has the 

 head, nape, and throat, black; upper parts, olive-brown; 

 primaries and tail, ashy-brown; outer margins of feathers, 

 edged with paler brown; sides of head, whitish; under 

 parts, ashy-white, tinged on flanks with buff; irides, brown; 

 bill, black; legs and feet, bluish-grey. Length, about four 

 inches. The female is similar in colour to the male. The 

 young closely resemble the adults, but the colours are not 

 so bright. 



