THE LONG-TAILED TIT. §5 



the word "churr! churr!" and then a shrill note Hke " twit ! twit!" You 

 may know at once that the sound comes from the long-tailed tit, the head of 

 the tit tribe, and the handsome bird you see in the picture. 



There are many of the tit family on every hand. They are birds of 

 a small size, and do not exceed a sparrow in bulk. They have a short 

 straight bill, with rather a sharp point, and they use it to feed on various 

 kinds of seeds, and even to split open a cone. But their favourite food is 

 insects, and they destroy millions that are out of the way of the swallow. 



They do not refuse scraps of meat or any morsels thrown out from the 

 kitchen door ; and on a winter's day, when the little birds come round our 

 houses to ask our bounty, some of the tit family are very likely to be present. 

 They give little rapid flights, and utter shrill cries when picking up their 

 food. Small as they are, they have a great deal of courage, and will attack 

 birds much larger than themselves. 



The long-tailed tit is known from the rest of his tribe by the long hand- 

 some tail that Nature has given him. His plumage is very soft and thick. His 

 head, throat, and breast are white, and there is a broad black band over the eye. 



His thick tufted plumage makes him look as if he were muffled up to the 

 chin, and that is why some people call him the " mufiflin." 



In winter the long-tailed tits fly about in troops, and follow each other 

 in a file, their long tails streaming behind them. 



They are very social birds, so much so that, in the season when the 

 mother birds are sitting on their eggs, their partners will feed together in 

 the most friendly manner. 



The long-tailed tit is famous for making one of the most beautiful nests 

 that is known. The other tits place their nests in a hole, but the nest of 

 which I am speaking is fastened to the twigs or branches of a bush not 

 many yards above the ground. 



THE WAGTAIL. 



There is not a more lively bird anywhere than our friend the wagtail. It is 

 true he does not entertain us with a delightful song, like some of our feathered 

 friends, but he amuses us none the less. 



