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effect that in Spain he observed this species among the poplars and willows of the Guadalquivir, near 
Cordoya, and also along the Genil, near Granada, in early spring; but he can say nothing as to 
its breeding there. Near Gibraltar Major Irby has never met with it. It is included in Professor 
Barboza du Bocage’s list of the birds of Portugal; but no remarks as to its distribution or rarity 
are given by the learned author, while in the more recent essay of Mr. A. C. Smith it is altogether 
omitted. 
Bailly gives it as very common in Savoy during the whole year; and in Styria also it is 
stated by Seidensacher to be abundant. Herr von Pelzeln kindly informs us that this bird is 
only seen in Galicia in autumn and winter. In the Museum at Vienna are specimens collected 
in Austria in October, and in Eastern Galicia in January. “In Northern Italy,” writes Count 
Salvadori, “ I have found this species pretty common on the plains, both in spring and autumn. 
In Central Italy it is generally to be found on the mountains, where I have seen them flying 
among the beech bushes not far from water. During the winter they are often to be seen in the 
markets at Pisa and Rome. It has not yet been observed in Sardinia.” Professor Doderlein 
states that “it is tolerably abundant in the neighbourhood of Modena, where it frequents low 
woods, and makes its nest in the holes of the trunks of willows. In October a partial migration 
to the south takes place; but many remain during the winter.” Lord Lilford believes that it is a 
resident species in Epirus. Von der Miihle found it in the forests of Roumelia in winter, and 
says it likewise breeds there. Lindermayer states that in Greece “this Titmouse lives on the 
edges of the lakes and swamps, on the lakes Kopais, Topolias, and Trichonia, near Agrinion, in 
Akarnania, where it has also been found breeding. It does not occur on the islands.” 
Mr. Robson has not sent us his accustomed notes on the present bird; so we are unable to 
give any account of the species in Turkey; Messrs. Elwes and Buckley are also silent on the 
subject; but that it occurs both in Turkey and in Asia Minor is evidenced by the fact that the 
last-named gentlemen noticed specimens in Mr. Robson’s collection, and we haye received from 
the same indefatigable collector a specimen from Guiken, in Asia Minor. Professor Nordmann 
says :—‘‘ This species is wanting both in the steppes of Southern Russia, and, as it seems, in the 
Crimea, whereas it abounds in the eastern provinces of the Black Sea. I have often seen in the 
province of Ghouriel, at the foot of the mountains, a species closely allied to Parus palustris, but 
was unable to procure one, as these birds fly in families and frequent the tops of the highest 
trees, whence they utter a clear and peculiar note, different from that of Parus palustris.” 
This fact, from the pen of so good a naturalist, points to the existence of a second species in 
Southern Russia, which may possibly turn out to be P. lugubris. 
In its general habits the Marsh-Titmouse has much in common with the Blue Titmouse ; and 
we see no reason why a generic separation of the two birds should be maintained. The plumage 
in the Marsh-Titmice is perhaps more fluffy, particularly in winter, and the bill is stronger, the 
robustness of the latter being evidenced by the vigorous manner in which the little bird taps; and 
this fact cannot fail to have been noticed by any one who has kept the bird in confinement. 
Mr. Alston writes :— I have observed a pair of Marsh-Titmice searching for insects on the trunk 
of a Scotch fir, prizing off the loose scales of bark with their bills with such force that a piece 
struck me in the face at some distance. This species may be readily recognized by its note, a 
long drawn ‘ pey, pey.’” 
