Creepers, Titmice^ and Reed-Warhlers. 61 



That, however, the different habits of tlie two species of 

 Marsh-Tits strike sometimes even the unsophisticated layman, is 

 shown by a very iiiterestiug article by Dr. Otto Natorp in 

 No. 5 of volume xxx. of the ' Ornithologische Monatsschrift/ 

 edited by the German Society £or the Protection of Birds. 



More difRciüt to distinouish than the Marsh-Tits are undoubt- 

 edly the two Reed-Warblers of the Continent, Acrocej^halus 

 streperus and palustris — in fact, skins are most difficiilt to 

 distinguish ; yet everybody who has some rudimentary know- 

 ledge of European Birds knovvs that they are two different 

 species, with diiferent songs, nests and eggs, colour of mouth, 

 and, I may add, shape of second primary ! 



No serioiis oruithologist of modern times has ever attempted 

 to deny that Acrocephalus streperus and palustris are distinct 

 species : why there should be so much controversy about the 

 two " Marsh-Tits/^ which are much easier to distinguish, is 

 difficult to understand. 



In my review of the genus Parus I have recognised (^^ Palse- 

 arctic forms. I was obliged to be short in these remarks, but 

 I hope to give some more detailed exphmations and additions 

 elsewhere, before long. 



VOL. xin. 



