:S i:-, 



THE LONG-TAII.ED TIT. 



Tlic Long-tailed Tit is no rarity : amidst woods, shrubberies, and tall hedges, it may 

 be frequently seen. It has the usual activity of its species, and remains in England 

 throughout the year. 



" The nest of this species," .says our distinguished naturalist, 3[r. Yarrell, " is an 

 example of ingenious construction, combining beauty of appearance with secm-ity and 

 warmth. In shape, it is nearly oval, with one small hole in the upper part of the side 

 by which the bird enters. I ha\-e never seen more than one hole. The outside of this 

 nest sparkles with silver-coloured Kchens adhering to a firm texture of moss and wool, 

 the inside profusely lined with soft feathers. The nest is generally placed in the middle 

 of a thick bush, and so tirmly fixed, that it is mostly foimd necessary to cut out the por- 

 tion of the bush containing it, if desirous of preserving the natural appearance and form 

 of the nest. 



" In this species the female is kno'nm to be the nest-maker, and to have been occupied 

 for a fortnight or three weeks in completing her habitation. In this she deposits from 

 ten to twelve eggs ; but a larger number are occasionally found ; they are small and 

 white, with a few pale red specks, frequently quite jjlain. The young fiunil}' of the year 

 keep company with the parent birds during their first avitumn and -uinter, and generally 

 crowd close together on the same branch at roosting time, looking, -when thus huddled 

 up, like a shapeless lump of feathers only. These bii'ds have several notes, on the sound 



* Parus caudatus. 



