8 
siiJEKiAX rir. 
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 rights of priority as some orni- 
thologists 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 cry of Parus 
Sihiricus is perhaps best expressed by the words 
‘Pistee-tee,’ 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 re- 
garded 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. 
Specimens of the Marsh Titmouse from the north 
of Europe undoubtedly differ somewhat (as is the case 
with so many other species) from those obtained in the 
British Islands, by having the colours more strongly 
contrasted. The northern race has been described by 
M. De Selys-Longchamps, as distinct, under the name 
of Pams horealis, (Bulletins de 1’ Acad. Roy. de 
Bruxelles, tome x. No. 7). I have, thanks to that 
gentleman, lately had the advantage of comparing his 
type specimens with examples from Mr. Wolley’s col- 
lection, and can safely say that they are in all respects 
identical. At the same time I must express my belief 
that the differences between them and our common P. 
palustris are not such as I can consider specific; and 
if I am not mistaken, M. -De’ Selys himself is now 
of the same opinion. I feel assured that that talented 
naturalist was wrongly informed as to the locality 
whence his types were obtained. It was doubtless from 
