The Marsh Titmouse. 



357 



eleven or twelve days old, and reared on white bread sop (made 

 fresh daily), mixed with ants' eggs ; or they may be fed on a 

 mixture of peameal, oatmeal, and ground linseed, moistened 

 with water, and with a little melted beef fat stirred up in it 

 to the consistence of paste. At the age of six weeks they may 

 be fed exclusively on the same food as adult birds. They must 

 be kept very warm, and fed, at short intervals, from an early 

 hour until 7 p.m. They must never be gorged, as they are 

 delicate, and very difficult to rear. After feeding, the mouths 

 of all young birds should be moistened with a few drops of 

 water. 



DiSTiNauisHiNG Marks of Cock and Hen. — The male and 

 female of this variety have a great resemblance to eacih other ; 

 the hen is slightly paler in the various colours of her plumage. 

 The surest way of distinguishing the sexes is by observing the 

 black markings on the throat ; in the female these are scarcely 

 perceptible. 



Song. — The song of the Marsh Tit is of a limited character. 

 The voice is weak, and the song, or what is designated the song, 

 is more like a continuous chatter than anything else. It consists 

 of a succession of notes bearing a great resemblance to each 

 other, uttered in a sharp and lively manner, but of short 

 duration. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Choose a bird with a 

 deep, black cap ; clear, well-defined face markings, and a nice, 

 level coloured, ashen grey back, and intensely black throat. The 

 exhibit should be well-formed and proportioned, close and 

 compact in its body feathers, and with well-carried wings, and a 

 tail free from blemish. The feet and claws must be in good 

 order, and free from any malformation. The bird should be 

 lively in manner, steady on the perch, tractable and docile, and 

 free from all appearance of dirt and damaged feathers. 



General Eemarks. — The Marsh Tit is not often used for 

 show purposes, as it is too delicate to send about from show to 

 show, or to be exposed to sudden changes of temperature. It 

 makes a very pleasing variety, and might be utilised in this 

 capacity at local shows. It forms a striking contrast when kept 

 in an aviary containing all the different varieties of Tits. It 

 will not breed in confinement. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — These birds seldom live 

 long in a state of domestication, unless frequently supplied with 



