64 
BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. 
was a more extraordinary spot selected than in the summer of 1887, when a pair 
of these birds built their nest in an iron post, common to the gates of the front 
gardens of two houses (part of a row of five) on the Aylestone Eoad, close to 
the Lansdowne Road, and in an extremely exposed position, not more than two 
feet from the ground, abutting on the causeway, and only, of course, a few yards 
from the tram-lines, of a very public road often thronged with traffic, especially 
on such occasions as Bicycle -races. Cricket-matches, etc., at which times, and 
particularly on the day of the Infirmary Sports (20th June), and “Jubilee” Day 
(21st), I noticed from my window both parent birds bringing food to their young, 
which they did in the slyest possible manner, watching their opportunity as it 
were. Indeed, so quick were they that it was often difficult to see if they really 
entered the hollow post ; and, on one occasion, feeling certain the hen was in, I 
attempted to make her fly out by banging the post and inserting a long straw, 
but to no avail, and yet, no sooner had I left, walked up the path, and again taken 
up my position at the window, than she emerged. I am happy to say they 
apparently brought off their brood safe and sound — which is extraordinary, as, 
in addition to prowling Cats and Dogs, there was the ordinary traffic, with work- 
people passing and re-passing, morning and night, besides the occupants of the 
houses, who were constantly passing to and fro, and banging the gates. So quick 
and secret were these birds, that the people living in one of the two houses, with 
their children, had no idea of their existence. 
In Rutland. — Resident, and generally distributed. 
BRITISH COAL TUAIOUSE. Farm ater hritannicus (Sharpe and Dresser). 
Resident, generally distributed, and commoner of late years than the 
following species, from which it may be readily distinguished by the possession 
of two white alar bars and a whitish nape. — According to Harley this species builds 
in hollow and decayed timber-trees, and in crevices in old walls and buildings. 
In Rutland. — Resident, generally distributed, and commoner of late years, 
than the following species. — j\Ir. Horn found its nest on a level with the ground, 
in a stump, on 25th April, 1886, and on 13th May it contained eleven eggs. 
MARSH-TITiMOUSE. Parus palustris, Linnaeus. 
Resident, but sparingly distributed. 
Harley remarked that it is partial to the willow and alder, in the decayed 
boles and branches of which it nests, and that it also affects the Scotch fir and 
other coniferous trees when decayed. Two, sent from Belvoir by Jlr. Ingram, 
were shot on 14th Jan., 1886, one of which (a female) is now in the Museum. 
Mr. Davenport wrote in Dec., 1887 : — “ This bird nested at Keythorpe in the 
summer of 1886; the eggs were taken, and the old bird, I grieve to say, killed. 
The only other instance of its nesting in the county coming under my notice 
