MARSH TIT. COAL TIT. 207 



" Besides this species (Partis major), there is also the cole tit- 

 mouse, the blackcap, the blue titmouse or nun, and the long-tailed 

 titmouse." (vol. ii. p. 340, 2nd edit.) If we take for granted 

 that the term " blackcap " is correctly applied to a Paras, the 

 marsh titmouse must be considered the one meant. In very few 

 instances has this bird occurred to me around Belfast, and not in 

 any other locality. By two ornithological friends it has once or 

 twice been met with here, and though within a few miles of the 

 town, the localities and times of its appearance to them and myself 

 were always different : — it was observed at the various seasons of 

 the year. The marsh tit has been seen by E. Ball, Esq., only 

 about Ballitore in the county of Kildare. In the collection of 

 T. W. Warren, Esq., of Dublin, a native specimen is preserved, 

 which was shot in the Phoenix Park near that city. Mr. Davis 

 of Clonmel, informed me in May 1844, that some eggs winch had 

 been sent to him from the vicinity of Clogheen, county of Tippe- 

 rary, on being submitted to Mr. Hewitson, were considered to be 

 of tins species.* 



It is said to be found over England. "When walking through 

 the beautiful plantations about Twizell House, Northumberland, 

 in the month of September, with Mr. Selby, this bird appeared quite 

 common, and was stated to be so there at all seasons. About 

 Jardine Hall, Dumfries-shire, on the contrary, as I was informed 

 when there in October 1845, it is now considered only as an 

 occasional visitant, generally appearing in the winter season. Mr. 

 Macgillivray is " not aware of its having been met with farther 

 north [in Scotland] than Fifeshire," vol. ii. p. 446. 



THE COAL TIT. 



Parus ater, Linn. 



Is common in Ireland. 



Montagu and Selby remark, that this species is less numerous in 

 England than the P. palustris : but the relative proportion between 



* Mr. Yarrell, by mistake, states on my authority, that it has been met with in 

 Donegal. It may not improbably yet be found there. 



