COLE TIT. MARSH TIT. 55 



SPECIES 53 THE COLE TIT. 



Parus ater. Linn. 

 Mesange petite charbonniere. Temm. 



Tomtit. 



THIS lively little species, which resembles the blue tit in size, 

 and the great tit in general form of colouring, is well distri- 

 buted over the island, but occurs in much smaller numbers 

 than either of the other species. One locality, where, from the 

 presence of old hawthorn, a constant variety of this family may 

 be observed, is the fine old woods in the Phoenix Park, where, 

 during all seasons, an endless opportunity is afforded for exa- 

 mining the interesting habits of the animated and merry little 

 titmice. In habits like the blue tit, it frequents more the 

 plantation and shrubbery, and seldom ventures to the vicinity 

 of the farmyard, unless forced by the severity of winter. Very 

 social in its relations with its own species, it is no less so with 

 others, as we frequently observe them adding to the numbers 

 of a flock composed of the blue and long-tail tit, goldcrest, 

 and, perhaps, the creeper. 

 Indigenous. 



SPECIES 54 THE MARSH TIT, 



Parus palustris. Linn. 

 Mesange nonnette. Temm. 



THIS titmouse, which closely resembles the preceding in 

 size and form of colouring, is a species of great rarity in our 

 island, as few specimens have passed under the observation 

 of the late William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast. To our own 

 observation it has never occurred in a recent state ; although, 

 on referring to notes made on some species of our birds, rare 

 in Ireland, but common in England, we find recorded the 

 fact of observing it, during the summer of 1848, when visiting 

 the admirable collection of Charles Waterton, Esq., of Wal- 

 ton Hall, in Yorkshire, at which locality they appeared so 

 abundant as to usurp the place of the cole tit (Parus ater). 



The bearded titmouse (Parus biarmicus) is said to have 

 occurred on one occasion, but is not sufficiently authenticated 

 to have a place in our Fauna. 



Indigenous. 



