26 
2 
the line of the head indicated by an indistinct hood, and not running so far back on the hinder neck ; 
the quills not so plainly edged with white; throat dull black, and the rest of the plumage of the under 
surface distributed as in the adult, but not nearly so bright. 
Ir is not yet clearly proved how far the present species extends its range to the eastward; and 
although we have here retained the English name by which it is generally known, we must remark 
that it has little or no claim to be considered “ Siberian,” and we shall hope to find that in future 
works the more appropriate term of “ Lapp Titmouse” may be employed when speaking of Parus 
cinctus. Certain it is that our European bird breeds in Lapland, descending southwards in winter ; 
and some notes on its range at this season of the year are given below. For critical remarks as 
to the species at present included under the heading of P. cinctus, we refer our readers to the 
end of the present article. Commencing with Lapland, its nesting-habitat, we quote the following 
account of the habits of the present bird, which was contributed by Professor Newton to Dr. Bree’s 
‘Birds of Europe’:—“ My own opportunities of observing Parus sibiricus were not sufficient to 
enable me to say in what particulars (if in any) its habits differ from those of the other species of 
the genus with which I am acquainted, beyond the fact that its call-notes are easily recognizable 
as distinct from any thing else. Indeed, from the information I have at various times received 
from the late Mr. John Wolley, I should suppose that in manners it closely resembles the rest of 
the Titmice. It is resident throughout the year in the district around Muonioniska, and, he has 
often assured me, was the only species which he found to breed there, although in autumn the 
Marsh-Titmouse makes its appearance, and on one occasion a solitary Great Titmouse was 
obtained by him. Iam unable to give even an outline of the range of Parus sibiricus in Lapland ; 
but I do not remember seeing it until, in descending the river Muonio, we had entered the 
region of the Scotch fir (Pinus sylvestris). I never found a nest myself, or saw one én situ. It 
breeds in holes of trees, whether naturally formed by decay, or excavated by Woodpeckers. ‘The 
nest is a mass of hair, principally from the Lemming, or some of the Voles, but occasionally from 
the Alpine Hare, mixed with a little green moss, black fibrous lichen, and willow-down. Seven 
appears to be the usual complement of eggs; but eight, and even nine, are sometimes laid. ‘This 
Titmouse seems to pay as little regard to the law of priority as some ornithologists do; for several 
instances occurred, to Mr. Wolley’s knowledge, of its dispossessing the Common Redstart from a 
convenient hole in which the latter bird had begun its nest. ‘The ordinary ery of Parus sibiricus 
is perhaps best expressed by the words ‘ Pistéé-téé,’ pronounced in a hissing tone; and from this 
cry the bird gets its Finnish name. By those of the people who are inclined to superstition it is 
regarded as a bird of bad omen; and the squirrel-shooter or bear-hunter looks forward to a 
luckless expedition if, in starting in the morning, he is greeted by the notes of the busy little 
Pistee-tianen.” Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., sends us the accompanying extract from two of the late 
Mr. Wolley’s sale-catalogues now in his possession. That of “ May 12th, 1857,” has this remark: 
—‘‘ Parus sibiricus is the only Titmouse at all abundant in Keras Sieppi,”’ and in the one of 
“May 30th, 1860, he observes that it is “the only Titmouse which breeds in the Muonioniska 
district.” 
Pastor Sommerfeldt remarks :—“ This lively bird is, with Fringilla linaria, one of our true 
songsters found here in winter. Between the 20th and 23rd of March its call-note may be heard 
every year at Nyborg. It breeds here and there, having its nest in hollow trees into which 
