THE MARSH TIT.
Parus palustris, Linnæus; La Mésange des marais, Buffon; Der Sumpfmeise, Bechstein.
The length of this bird is four inches and a half, of which the tail measures nearly two; the beak is four lines in length, and black; the shanks are five lines high, and lead blue; the upper part of the head, as far as the nape, is black; the temples and cheeks are white; the upper part of the body is brownish grey; the throat is black.
The female has less black on the throat than the male.
Habitation.—In their wild state, these birds, during the summer, frequent groves and orchards; in winter, they assemble in flocks, and when they move from place to place, always fly in a line one behind the other[113].
In the house they should be allowed to flutter and hop about freely; they are very delicate, and require a great deal of care at first.
Food.—When wild, they feed on insects, seeds, and elderberries, according to the season.
In the house they eat the same things as other tits; but at first, ants' eggs and elderberries must be added. The seeds of the sunflower (Helianthus major) have succeeded best with me, and preserved them in health longest. They will also eat hemp-seed and oats.