328 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



ceding species, but appears to be but little noticed, except by the ornitholo- 

 gist, on account of the nature of its haunts — the midst of extensive woods 

 and forests, abounding with thick shrubs and trees. Its favourite trees 

 appear to be the holly and the fir, and amongst these — especially the for- 

 mer — it may confidently be looked for, even in the neighbourhood of houses. 

 IJut in open unconcealed spots, or in gardens, it occurs much less frequently 

 than its congeners, though it occasionally mingles with these in severe 

 winters. 



"I am not aware that this bird possesses even the shadow of a song, and 

 its only note is loud, shrill, and clear, and has, not unaptly, been compared to 

 the sound of a bell, though the notes are perfectly distinct, and by no means 

 uttered in a hurried manner. It is audible at a considerable distance, and, 

 when once heard, is not easily forgotten. 



"The nest of the Longtailed Tit.is a most extraordinary piece of architec- 

 ture, and often requires a long time to complete, though, in cases of emer- 

 gency, I have known the whole structure to have been erected in less than a 

 week. It is usually situated in the holly or hawthorn tree, were two or 

 more branches meet, and also, though not so frequently, in fir trees; I have 

 likewise seen one in a thick hedge in an unfrequented spot.* It consists of 

 various kinds of lichens, moss, wool, and other substances, lined with a warm 

 coating of feathers. When completed, it is a perfect model of symmetry, 

 and is of an oval shape, with a small hole near the top. The whole surface 

 is studded over with white lichens, and sometimes with s))iders'^ webs, or 

 some substance of a like nature, which gives a beautiful finish to the struc- 

 ture, and renders it more similar to the branches on which it is situated, 

 than it would otherwise be. It is so firmly fixed on the branches, that it 

 would be impossible to take down the nest without cutting also the twigs on 

 which it is fastened. In a museum it is a very handsome object, with the 

 holly branch on which it was situated, but, if torn off" from this, its beauty is 

 entirely spoilt. 



"According to Selby, there are two holes in the structure, through one of 

 which it protudes its long tail. Now, though I am by no means inclined to 

 doubt that it may occasionally be found (and of course Selby has such speci- 

 mens), yet I am convinced that they are of extremely rare occurrence. Mr. 

 Blyth informs me that he never met with a nest of this description, nor have 

 I, amongst the great number that I have examined — both on the bush and in 

 museums — ever seen more than one hole, and that but a small one. My 

 learned correspondent, Shirley Palmer, M.D., of Birmingham, is also of 

 opinion that two holes seldom or never occur. 



"Rennie and others designate this species by the vulgar name "Bottle Tit,** 

 on account of the nest being occasionally found in the shape of a bottle; and 

 a specimen of this description is figured in Rennie's popular compilation, the 

 Architecture of Birds^ p. 332. It is, however, much more frequently met 

 with in a plain ov^al shape, without any neck, and with a hole near the top. 

 Longtailed Tit, is, consequently, a far more correct appellation. 



"Unlike most of the other British Tits, it is entirely insectivorous, being' 

 never observed to feed on carrion of any kind. It seeks its insect prey 

 amongst the branches and foliage of trees, with the same assiduity as its con- 

 geners, hanging on the undersides of the twigs, and frequently running up 

 and down the branches, in the same manner as the Goldcrested Kinglet. 

 Sometimes it associates with the Blue and Coal Tits, but is more commonly 

 observed in flocks of twelve or fourteen, probably constituting the family 

 party. Its flif>ht, though never continued for any length of time, is straight 

 and rapid. The eggs, from nine to twelve — and sometimes even more — in 

 number, are very small, and white, spotted at the larger end with reddish- 

 brown dots. 



" * I have oflen endeavoured,' says Dr. liverpool, ' to preserve the 



"♦Ihave aeen one beautifully situated on the thickly-blossomed branch of a wild crab.— 



E. Bl-TTH. 



