226 THE MARSH TITMOUSE. 



central feathers of the tail are black, and the remainder are black on the inner webs and white 

 on the outer. They are regularly graduated in length, each pair being about half an inch 

 shorter than the preceding pair. Both sexes are similar in their coloring. The total length 

 of the bird is about five inches and a half. 



In i^ersonal appearance the Ckested Titmouse is the most conspicuous of the European 

 species, on account of the peculiarity from which it derives its name. 



It is a very rare bird in the northern parts of Europe, but when it makes its appearance 

 there, is generally seen in little troops. On several parts of the European continent it is 

 plentifully found, especially frequenting Denmark, Sweden, Eussia, Switzerland, and Germany. 

 It prefers the pine forests to any other locality, and it generally builds its nest in the hole of 

 some decaying tree, the oak appearing to be the most favored. In one single instance noticed 

 by Sir W. Jardine, the nest was almost wholly lined with the cast exuyige of snakes. The 

 eggs are about eight or ten in number, and their color is generally white, spotted with a few 

 light red specks. 



The coloring of this bird is mostly black and white, disposed in a pleasing manner 

 and supplemented by mouse-colored shadings on its upj^er parts. The feathers of the crest 

 are black at the base and edged with a rather broad band of white ; the back and wings are 

 soft brown, the under surface of the chest and abdomen is very pale fawn, and the under 

 surface of the \vings and tail is a delicate pearly gray. It is a small bird, the total length 

 being only four inches and a half. 



Another European Titmouse is the Cole Titmouse {Parus ater), so called on account of 

 the dai-k coloring of its plumage. 



It is a tolerably common bird throughout Europe. In its habits it is not unlike the Long- 

 tailed Titmouse, being ever restlessly in motion, and constantly running up and down the 

 branches of trees and bushes in search of its insect prey. It is not quite so fearless of man as 

 some of the allied species, and is found in small woods, hedge-rows, and copses, rather than in 

 gardens and orchards, so that it frequently escapes the notice of a casual observer. The nest 

 of this species is usually placed above the ground, and is built in some sequestered and shel- 

 tered situation, such as the hole of a tree or a wall, tlie hollow of gnarled or projecting roots, 

 or in the midst of some very thick and shrubby bush. It is composed of moss and wool, and 

 lined with hair. The eggs are generally about seven or eight in number, and are of a pure 

 white, mottled with })ale reddish spots. 



The voice of the Cole Titmouse is rather peculiar, and is well described by Mudie : — "The 

 song of the Cole Tit is not indeed one of many notes, or of mellifluous inflections ; it is little 

 else than the same note repeated four or five times, but with so much variety of pitch and tune 

 as to form a sort of cadence which woidd make a good variety any^vhere, as it is shrill and 

 clear, and one which is particularly welcome and cheering in those mountain woods which the 

 summer warblers but rarely visit. The bird sings in the noontide heat, when most birds, and 

 especially those on the open wastes, with which the haunts of this species are usually inter- 

 spersed, are silent." 



The Cole Titmouse is colored as follows : The head, chin, throat, ear-coverts, and parts of 

 the sides of the neck are deep black, and the cheeks, sides of the neck, and a i)atc]i tipon tlie 

 nape are white. The back is bluish-gray, and the wings are brownish-gray Avith a little green 

 on some of the feathers, and two narrow bai's of white across the tips of the coverts. The breast 

 is grayish-white, and the abdomen is pale fnynx washed with a slight tinge of green. The total 

 length of the Cole Titmouse measures about four inches and a half. 



^o^ 



The Maksh Titmouse is another European species, and may be distinguished f roTu the pre- 

 ceding sijcc'ies, to which it benrs a, considerable resemblance, by the absence of the blacic patch 

 upon the throat and the white s]K)t on Ww nape of the neck. It derives its popular name 

 from its marsh-loving habits, as it is generally to be found near the water meadows and the low- 

 lying banks, hopping about the osiers and vrillows, or seeking its food in the swampy grounds. 



