398 INSECTIVORJE. 



grey, the former with the margins paler : feet and toes bluish- 

 grey. The tail is a little forked, and stouter in proportion 

 than that of any other of the genus. 



THE MARSH-TIT (Parus palustris). 



The marsh-tit is one of those birds which, from seeking 

 their food under cover of brakes, copses, and other under- 

 wood, and being seldom on the wing, except while flitting 

 from bush to bush, and otherwise hideling.in their habits, 

 are sometimes described as being much less abundant than 

 they really are. 



It is about the same length in the body as the cole-tit, but 

 the tail is at least half an inch longer, the body is thicker, 

 and the weight one half more, or about three drachms, the 

 other being about two. The wings, too, are an inch longer, 

 being at least eight inches in extent. 



The plumage is more downy and free from gloss than that 

 of the former species ; and the black on the head is not so 

 deep, though, from being entire and having no lustre, it shows 

 better. The bill is dusky, the head, as far as the nape and 

 eyes, and the centre of the chin, black. The rest of the 

 upper part smoke grey, with a slight yellowish tinge; the 

 under part cream colour, with traces of pale brownish-buff. 

 The wings and tail feathers bluish-grey, with the margins a 

 shade lighter. The feet and toes bluish-grey. The colours, 

 and also the lustreless surface, which makes them appear the 

 same in all lights, are sober and soft, with the exception of 

 the well-defined black-cap on the head, but they harmonize 

 very pleasantly ; and as the shape of the bird, especially that 

 of the head and neck, is very handsome, there are really 

 few more classically beautiful birds in the brake. 



Its haunts appear to be different in different parts of the 

 country, those in which it finds tall brakes or low copses ; 

 but it can hardly be considered as a marsh bird. It is found 



