162 



BIRD GALLERY. 



No. 7O. BEARDED TITMOUSE. (Panurus biarmicus.) 



This resident species, commonly known as the " Reed-Pheasant/' is 

 now almost confined to the Norfolk Broads, the draining of the reedy 

 fens and meres having destroyed many of its former breeding-grounds 

 in the eastern and southern counties of England. The seeds of the 

 reed constitute its principal food, but, in summer, numbers of small 

 shell-bearing mollusca are also eaten. The nest, which is placed near 

 the water among sedge and weeds, is composed of the dry leaves of 

 aquatic plants and lined with the flower of the reed. The eggs, from 

 five to seven in number, are white with short wavy lines and markings 

 of purplish-brown. Two broods are produced in a season. 



Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by R. W. Chase, Esq. 



No. 71. BLUE TITMOUSE. (Parus caeruleus.) 



This common resident is generally distributed throughout the greater 

 part of the British Islands, its numbers being largely augmented in 

 autumn by the arrival of flocks from the Continent. Insects and their 

 larvae form its principal food ; and though this diet is supplemented in 

 autumn by fruit, the small amount of damage done in gardens is com- 

 pensated for by the wholesale destruction of insect-pests. The nest, of 

 moss, hair and feathers, is generally placed in a hole in a tree or wall, 

 but other curious sites are sometimes selected. From six to nine 

 white eggs, spotted with light red, are laid in April. 



Pembrokeshire, June. 

 Presented by R. W. Mire house, Esq. 



No. 72. MARSH-TITMOUSE. (Parus palu^tris.) 



This resident species is common throughout the greater part of 

 Great Britain, but becomes scarce towards the north of Scotland. 

 In Ireland it has been recorded from some of the eastern counties. 

 Insects form its principal food, but berries, seeds, and beech-mast are 

 also eaten. The nest, made of moss, wool and hair, with a lining 

 of down, is usually placed in a hole in some decayed stump of a tree, 

 a willow or alder being frequently selected ; but, occasionally, a hole 

 in a ba^-flJe^se.a. From five to eight white eggs, spotted with light 

 red, kittle es^'oni the end of April onwards. 



Suffolk, May. 

 Presented by Duncan Parker, Esq. 



