THE MAJISH TIT. 453 



176. THE MABSH TIT. 



Pants Palustris, LIN. Mesange de Marais, ou Nanette de Cendre'e. BUF. 

 Die Sumpfmeise, BECH. 



Description. The Marsh Tit is four inches and a quarter 

 in length, of which the tail measures two inches. The beak 

 is four lines long, and black ; the feet lead coloured, and five 

 lines in height. The top of the head is black : the cheeks 

 and temples white ; the throat black. The upper part of the 

 body is brownish grey; the under part dirty white, tinged 

 with red at the sides and vent. The wings and tail are 

 blackish grey, edged with reddish white. 



In the female, the black on the threat is hardly perceptible. 



Habitat. This bird frequents gardens and groves through- 

 out the year : but in winter, collects in flocks, which wander 

 from place to place in search of food. In confinement, it may 

 be allowed the free range of the aviary. It is a delicate bird, 

 and when first caught requires considerable attention. 



Food. In a wild state, it eats seeds, insects, ana elderberries. 

 In the aviary it may be treated like other Tits ; and may be 

 brought to eat the universal paste, by means of ants' eggs or 

 elderberries. The seeds of the sunflower will answer the 

 same purpose ; and this food is said to have a favourable effect 

 on the bird's longevity. It is also fond of oats, and hemp seed. 



Breeding. The Marsh Tit builds its nest in hollow trees, of 

 moss and grass, lined with hair and feathers. The female lays 

 ten or twelve eggs, which are a rusty white, spotted with orange. 



Mode of Taking. In winter, this bird may easily be taken 

 in the Tit trap, if baited with nut kernels and oats. A still 

 surer method is to fix limed twigs on the sunflower blossoms : 

 which, if growing in a garden not frequented by these birds, 

 may be carried to some place where they have been often ob- 

 served. 



Attractive Qualities. The Marsh Tit is a handsome bird ; 

 and its song, though weak, is agreeable. It is rendered some- 

 what remarkable by the syllables deay deay, hitzi, iltz, iltz, 

 which also form its call-notes in the pairing season. I have 

 never been able to keep one of these birds longer than two or 

 three years. 



ADDITIONAL. The Black headed Tom Tit and the Marsh Tit- 

 mouse are names by which this bird is commonly known -, the 



