58 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



in autumn and winter, but resides with us all the 

 year round. Owing to the great similarity which 

 exists between the eggs of this bird and those of 

 the Blue and Marsh Tits, great care should be 

 observed in identifying the species before taking 

 the nest. I have found the Cole Tit nesting at 

 Kingsbury, Edge ware, Elstree, and Harrow. 



MARSH TIT, Parus palustris. Of the five resident 

 species of Parus, this is, perhaps, the most uncom- 

 mon, although it can hardly be said to be rare. I 

 have seen it at all the brooks, at Elstree reservoir, 

 Stanmore Marsh, and at Kingsbury. Mr. Belfrage 

 has observed it twice at Muswell Hill, and speci- 

 mens have been obtained at Caen Wood, Hampstead. 

 This species may be at once distinguished from the 

 Cole Tit by the absence of the white spot on the 

 nape, which is always present in the last-named. 



LONGTAILED TIT, Parus caudatus. A common 

 species, found here throughout the year. In the 

 autumn and winter it may be observed in small 

 parties, varying from five or six to ten or more. On 

 the 31st December, 1862, 1 counted eleven together, 

 and on the same day I saw a Longtailed Tit without 

 a tail. I was at first puzzled to make out what it 

 was, for the absence of tail gave it a very odd 

 appearance. 



It may not be out of place here to draw attention 

 to the fact that continental specimens of this bird 

 differ chiefly from those found here, in having a 



