a2 
4 
In Spain, Mr. Howard Saunders writes: —‘‘I observed this species in the reed-beds of the 
Albufera of Valencia, at the end of May 1870, and was assured that it bred there.” 
The Bearded Reedling is an uncommon bird in Germany, being only occasionally found 
there, and only in certain localities. Dr. Anton Fritzsch, however, says it is abundant in 
Hungary, but probably found in Bohemia only during migration. In Albania it was observed 
by Lord Lilford; and in Greece Von der Miihle says it is often seen during the autumn. Linder- 
mayer says it is one of the rarest of the ‘“‘ Titmice,” and frequents the bush-covered swamps in 
Northern Greece. 
Mr. Robson informs us, in a letter, that “this species is found in Turkey in Europe and 
Asia Minor. It has been taken in the neighbourhood of Varna, and in the marshes on the 
Danube in Europe, also near Smyrna in Asia Minor.” 
Radde writes as follows regarding its occurrence in Russia :— 
“T saw this Titmouse on the Bug in small families of from five to eight individuals. ‘Their 
movements amongst the rushes are most graceful; their song consists of a plain twitter, composed 
of similar notes to those of the Blue Titmouse. In the large forests of rushes (for they may well 
be called thus, as one cannot get through them without using a hatchet, and the single rushes 
often stand 8 to 10 feet high) it is difficult to procure so small a bird, as one cannot follow it up 
if it is only wounded and not killed outright. The flight is a succession of short, sharp half- 
circles.” 
In Southern Russia, Professor A. von Nordmann records it as rather common on all the shores 
of the rivers which are supplied with reeds, and in the salt lakes, whence it wends its way some- 
times into the adjoining gardens. We have specimens also in our collection from the Wolga. 
As it name denotes, the present species affects only certain localities; and where the thickets 
of reeds are most dense, there is the home of this lovely little bird. Like Titmice it is lively and 
active, and climbs about the reed-stems after food as they do amongst the branches of trees, and 
appears to be always busily employed. They are generally to be found in families, and but 
seldom, if ever, in large flocks. Their flight is light, and much resembles that of the Long-tailed 
Titmouse. They are seldom found away from the reeds or the neighbourhood of water, and are 
strictly fen-birds in the fullest sense of the word. 
With us in England they are residents; but on some parts of the Continent, according to 
Naumann, they are partial migrants, owing chiefly to the reeds where they are found during the 
summer drying up or being cut down to bum; and he states that their migrations take place 
during the night. In the vast fen-districts of Holland, where they are most abundant, they are 
residents, and are found chiefly near the salt water. 
Respecting their note and food, Naumann says, “they continually utter a short melodious 
note, zit-zit, resembling that of other Titmice and Gold-Crests; but this is, however, uttered 
harsher or sharper, zips-zips, almost like the note of the Hawfinch. When a flock is scattered 
they call querulously to each other, uttering a lengthened shrill note. I have also heard them 
use a call-note, which, in the distance, appears to resemble that of the Bullfinch, but was higher 
in tone. ‘The song is very simple, merely a low twitter, in which are mingled a few harsh notes 
resembling the so-called song of the common Sparrow. In the pairing-season they twitter and 
call continually, and express their pleasure in a few notes, which sound like zit zrrrr. They 
