Cassell's book of birds; vol. 2

by Alfred Edmund Brehm

The SIBERIAN TIT (Parus Sibericus) is, like the last-mentioned species, an inhabitant of the most northern parts of Europe and Asia. The upper surface of this bird is of a deep ash-colour, tinged on the back with brown; the quills, secondaries, and tail-feathers edged with white; throat black; cheeks and upper part of the chest pure white; under parts greyish white, washed with rufous on the flanks; bill and tarsi lead-colour.

The Siberian Tit is exceedingly rare in Europe. It migrates in winter to some of the provinces of Russia, and has been found in Sweden.

Mr. Lloyd informs us that it is plentiful in Lapland; that the greater portion are stationary all the year round; and that at Mauno, in latitude 68° 35´, it is almost the only bird to be found during the winter.

"The Siberian Titmouse," says M. Malm, "is not only most fearless, but possessed of an extraordinary degree of curiosity, and I have often had the greatest enjoyment in watching its movements. On one occasion I stood for half an hour under a thick spruce pine tree, on the look-out for one of these birds, which I heard chattering in the branches above me, but without being able to get sight of it. At length, however, it left its perch on the top of the tree, and, to my great astonishment, as I was still standing at the foot of the same tree, with the gun under my arm, it descended with the rapidity of an arrow, and took post on the barrel, near the muzzle! Here it remained a long while, and it was not till I had driven it away with my hand that I was enabled to shoot it.

"On another occasion, when out for the purpose of shooting, my gun being charged with large shot, I met with a Siberian Titmouse; and, whilst occupied in changing the shot, it came so very near me that I was enabled, without difficulty, to knock it down with the ramrod of my gun. This bird makes its nest in a hollow pine tree. The under portion of it consists of moss, which, without any kind of arrangement, is stuffed into the hole. Above this again, is a good portion of the hair of the lemming; at times, indeed, pieces of the skin of that animal. The eggs, which are from seven to nine in number, are white, and marked with light red spots and blotches. In shape they resemble those of the Common Creeper."

THE MARSH TIT.

The MARSH TIT (Parus palustris) is of a reddish grey on the upper part of the body, and greyish white beneath; the head, as far as the nape, is deep black, the chin greyish black, and the region of the chest white. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot lead-grey. The body is four inches and a half long, and the span of the wings eight inches; the wing measures two inches and a half, and the tail two inches.

The Marsh Tit inhabits the central portions of Europe. In the extreme south and north it is replaced by nearly allied species. Everywhere this bird frequents marshy localities, low-lying meadows, and moist woodland districts, preferring clumps of bushes or willows to lofty trees. Such as inhabit Great Britain remain throughout the entire year, but those occupying more northern latitudes wander farther south at the approach of winter.

Mr. Yarrell informs us that the Marsh Tit is common about London, and with the Blue, Cole, Long-tailed, and Great Tits, has been observed in Kensington Gardens, and that these birds are probably attracted to this spot by the insect food to be found about old trees in various stages of decay, a London atmosphere being unfavourable to healthy vegetation.

"The Marsh Tit," he tells us, "from London westward may be traced to Cornwall and Wales." In Ireland, according to Mr. Thompson, "this bird has been killed in the Phœnix Park near Dublin, in the county of Kildare, in the vicinity of Belfast, and in the county of Donegal; from London northward through Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire." It is also abundant in Derbyshire and Yorkshire; it is found in Durham and Northumberland; and Mr. Macgillivray saw it near Edinburgh. In his work on "British Birds" he says:—"This species is not nearly so common in the southern districts of Scotland as the Cole Tit, and I am not aware of its having been met with farther north than Fifeshire. Although named the Marsh Tit, it does not confine itself to marshy places, but examines the trees and bushes growing in the driest soil, as well as those of swampy ground; and I have seen it alight on herbaceous plants, especially thistles. Its flight is rapid and undulated, all its motions are quick and abrupt, and it creeps along the twigs, flutters, and throws itself into all sorts of positions. Its food consists chiefly of insects, but in autumn and winter it also eats the seeds of various syngenesian and other plants, and will pick at the flesh of a dead animal. It remains all the year with us, and does not seem to shift its quarters much. Its ordinary cry is a shrill cheep, but it also emits a variety of chattering notes, and in spring has a kind of song, which may be expressed by the syllables 'Chicka, chicka, chee!' Towards the end of the season the little flocks disperse, separate from the individuals of other species with which they have associated in winter, and betake themselves to the dense woods, or to the marshy wooded borders of streams and pools, the chief attraction to which seems to be the decayed willows, of which the crevices afford an abundant supply of insect food."