By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



179 



white patch at the back of its neck, which is totally wanting in the 

 Marsh Tit. 



"Marsh Titmouse." (Parus palustris.) The specific name points 

 out the localities which this Tit frequents. I should say it is not 

 so common in this county as the last, at least I have not met with 

 it so often ; but wherever there is moist ground, and alders and 

 willows flourish, there it may frequently be seen. 



"Long-tailed Titmouse." (Parus caudatus.) This very ball of 

 feathers with a long tail is common in all woods, and may be found 

 in hedgerows, but rarely visits our gardens : its body is scarcely 

 bigger than that of the " Golden Crested Regulus," but its very 

 long tail, and its habit of puffing out its feathers give it an appear- 

 ance of greater size than it realty possesses : its beautiful oval nest, 

 so cleverly formed of moss and wool, coated with lichen and lined 

 with feathers, is the greatest marvel of the kind we possess in this 

 country, and in this snug cradle it will rear twelve or more young ; 

 and in the winter months you may see the whole family, including 

 the parents, flitting with undulating movements from tree to tree, 

 and hanging in an inverted position from the ends of the small 

 twigs, while in search of insect food. It is sometimes called pro- 

 vincially "Bottle Tom" from the shape of its nest, and in this 

 county is generally styled "Huckmuck," a truly Wiltshire word, 

 the derivation of which I cannot fathom. 



AMPELIDiE (Waxwings). 



Of the family of Fruit-eaters we have but one single example 

 occurring in England: their characteristics are short bill but wide 

 gape, enabling them to swallow whole the large berries and fruits 

 on which they feed ; and short legs and feet formed for perching, 

 as they are never seen on the ground. The single species visiting 

 us is styled the 



" Bohemian Waxwing." (Bomby •cilia garrula.) Called also the 

 "Silktail," and "Chatterer;" it is a winter visitant, and though 

 it occasionally comes in some numbers, it is by no means regular 

 or periodical in its arrival ; an interval of several years often elaps- 

 ing between its visits. It is recorded by Bay to have appeared in 



