172 Paridw. 



Sweden, where it braves the severe winter and does not seem 

 affected by the intense cold, it is known as Svart Mes. Professor 

 Newton has pointed out that in like manner (and as the specific 

 name ater indicates), ' Coal,' and not ' Cole/ Titmouse is the correct 

 English name. In Germany it is Tanne Meise, ' Fir-tree Tit- 

 mouse;' in Spain, Herrerillo, 'Little Blacksmith.' 



62. MARSH TITMOUSE (Pams palustris). 



The specific name points out the localities which this Tit 

 frequents. I should say it is not so common in this county as 

 the last at least, I have not met with it quite so often ; but 

 wherever there is moist ground, and alders and willows flourish, 

 there it may frequently be seen. Mr. Cecil Smith says that he 

 has seen it busily engaged in eating the berries of the honey- 

 suckle, occasionally picking one off and holding it in its claw like 

 the parrot, while it was getting out all the edible parts.* It 

 makes its nest in holes and sometimes in the scrubby heads of old 

 pollard willows. In Germany it is, as with us, Sumpfmefa, the 

 ' Marsh Titmouse ;' in France, from its sombre dress and black 

 hood, La Nonnette, ' the Little Nun ;' in Italy, CinoiaUegra 

 cinerea ; and in Spain it shares, with the species last described, 

 the name Herrerillo. 



63. LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE (Parus caudatus). 

 This very ball of feathers with a long tail is common in all 

 woods, and may be found in hedgerows, but rarely visits our 

 gardens. Its body is scarcely bigger than that of the ' Golden- 

 Crested Eegulus,' but its very long tail and its habit of puffing 

 out its feathers give it an appearance of greater size than it 

 really possesses. Its beautiful oval nest, so cleverly formed of 

 moss and wool, coated with lichen and lined with feathers, is 

 the greatest marvel of the kind we possess in this country, and 

 in this snug cradle it will rear twelve or more young ; and in the 

 winter months you may see the whole family, including the 

 parents, flitting with undulating movements from tree to tree 

 'Birds of Somersetshire,' p. 128. 



