GREAT AND LONG-TAILED TITS 107 



Voice. — A clever mimic, imitating the " pink, pink " of Chaffinch, 

 call of Nuthatch, etc. In the Spring it utters a shrill tinkling 

 song, such as " pinker, pinker," or " tree-sa-tree-sa." 



Chief Features. — The largest British species, and the most handsome. 

 To be distinguished by large size and the black head, throat, 

 and band on the breast. Very pugnacious in habits, and will 

 kill other birds in captivity. 9 



Plumage. — Head, throat, and band down centre of breast black; 

 olive-green back; white cheeks, and also a spot of same on 

 nape; yellow breast and belly. Length. — Six inches. 



TIT, LONG-TAILED (Acredula rosea) 



Local Names. — Bag, Barrel Tit, Bellringer, Bottle Tit, Bottle Tom, 

 Can-Bottle, Caper Longtail, Ekimol, Feather Poke, French 

 Magpie, Jack-in-a-Bottle, Longpod, Long-Tailed Capon, Long- 

 Tailed Mag, Long-Tailed Mufflin, Long-Tailed Pie, Long Tom, 

 Mufflin, Mum-Rumn, Nimble Tailor, Oven Builder, Poke Pud- 

 ding, Ragamuffin, Rose Mufflin, Tree Huck-Muck. 



Haunt. — Woods, commons, and hedge- 

 rows. 



Nesting Period. — March to June. 



Site of Nest. — Furze, blackthorn, and 

 hawthorn bushes, etc. 



Materials Used. — Moss, lichen, wool, 

 spiders' webs, profusely lined with 

 feathers. A globular nest, with 

 small hole near top. 



Eggs. — Six to Twelve, or more. White, 

 with a few light-red spots. 



Food. — Insects. 



Voice. — A sibilous, subdued note, 

 which, when uttered in chorus, 

 is very pleasing. 



Chief Features. — The long tail, engag- 

 ing habits, and sociable disposition, 

 the birds travelling about in little parties after nesting season 

 is over. The nest is undoubtedly the finest example of avine 

 architecture in the British Isles. 



Plumage. — White on head, neck, throat, breast, and part of outer 

 tail-feathers; black back, wings, and six middle tail-feathers; 

 above the eye a streak of black; tinge of rose-red on sides of 

 back and scapulars; reddish-white underneath. Tail very long; 

 beak very short. Length. — Five inches and three-quarters. 



Fig. 40. Long-Tailed Tit. 



