CHAPTEE LX. 



The Marsh Titmouse. 



Parus pahistris, Lin. ; Le Mesange de Marcus, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Marsh Titmouse, or Black- 

 headed Tom Tit, as it is not unfrequently termed, is a very- 

 pretty bird indeed, and not greatly unlike the Cole Tit, though 

 it may be readily distinguished from that variety by the absence 

 of the white marks on the neck and wing coverts. Its call note 

 is *'Itz," which is pronounced clearly and sharply. 



Like the other Tits, though in a less degree, it becomes 

 docile and social when kept in confinement. The length 

 of a fully-grown specimen is 4^in., of which the tail measures 

 2in. The bill is black. On the top of the head is a deep 

 black cap, which extends from the bill, and includes part 

 of the hind neck ; it runs almost parallel with the under part 

 of the eyes. The face and sides of the neck are creamy 

 white ; the back, shoulders, wing coverts, and rump, are 

 brownish ashen grey. The wings and tail are dusky brownish 

 black, edged with brownish white. The throat is black ; the 

 breast, belly, and sides, are dingy white. The legs and feet 

 are a dark lead colour. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Marsh Titmouse is indigenous 

 to Great Britain, and is found in other parts of Europe ; it is 

 common in Sweden, Denmark, Italy, &c. In this country it is 

 found in greatest abundance in neighbourhoods where the 

 land is in a bad state of cultivation, and where draining has 

 not been resorted to, such as the Lincolnshire fens, and 

 similar marshy places ; hence its name of Marsh Titmouse. 



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