I 



PARID^. do 



down and kill small birds, as we have wituessed. (W. D"TJ.) The 

 numerous forms of the provincial name " Hackmall '"' for it are derived 

 from the strong blows or pecks it deals with its bill. 



British Coal Titmouse. Parus Iritannicus, Sharpe 

 and Dresser. 



Resident, tolerably common in the south of the county, and is often 

 seen in suburban gardens around Exeter and Exmouth iu winter. 

 Breeds. 



With regard to the distribution of this species, we have noted that it 

 is most plentiful where the Marsh-Tit is the reverse, and that where the 

 Marsh-Tit is numerous but few Coal Tits are seen. In North Devon this 

 species is but seldom met with, even in large fir-plantations, which are its 

 favourite haunts, whereas the Marsh-Tit is plentiful and is to be seen 

 everywhere. Precisely the opposite may be stated of North Somerset, 

 where the Coal Tit is more abundant than any other species of Tit, and the 

 Marsh-Tit is seldom seen. 



All the nests of the Coal Tit we have taken were lined with a thick 

 welt of rabbits' fur. 



Marsh-Titmouse. Parus palustris, Linn. 



[Black-headed Tit.] 



Resident, common in some places. Breeds. 



" Marsh-Tit " is rather an ill-bestowed name for this species, as it is 

 by no means confined to marshes, and, indeed, is to be found, and nests 

 commonly, in gardens and orchards iu the driest situations. Holes in old 

 oak trees are favourite places for it to breed in. 



A very large flock, consisting of Marsh, Coal, and Long-tailed Tits, was 

 peen flitting about some alder-trees by the side of the River Plym, August 

 31st, 1872 (J. G., 1872, p. 3260). 



Mr. Leonhard Stejneger (in Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. vol. ix. p. 201) dis- 

 tinguishes the British Ibrm of the Marsh Titmouse as a sub-species under 

 the name of Parus palustris dresseri (vide Zool. 1887, p. 37D). 



Blue Titmouse. Parus cmruleus, Linn. 



[Billy-biter, Bliithpeckcr, and Bluespick {N. IJ.), Blue-cap, Titmal, 

 Ackmal : Dev.^ 



Resident, generally distributed and abundant. Breeds. 



On May loth, 1870, a boy found the dried-up body of a Redwing lying 

 on its back in the cavity of an apide-treo in an orchard at Exwick, near 

 Exeter, and on the breast and between the partially expanded wings, 

 forming a cup-like hollow, a Blue Titmouse had deposited some moss, 

 leathers, &c., to form a nest, and had laid nine eggs, on wliich she was 



d2 



