THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE 
any one locality. ‘There are few prettier sights than 4 
company of Long-tailed ‘Tits, especially in winter, when 
the bare trees admit of their close observation. ‘They are 
most sociable little birds, keeping close together, trooping 
in dipping flight one after the other from tree to tree or 
along the hedgeside, twittering merrily to each other. 
Their actions are much the same as those of the other 
Titmice, but their long tails give an added grace to their 
acrobatic movements. ‘They feed chiefly upon insects, 
especially in summer, but at other times small seeds are 
sought. ‘The broods and their parents usually keep 
company through the winter, but in early spring these 
break up into pairs for nesting duties, and the old birds 
appear to return to some old-accustomed spot to rear 
another family. ‘The notes of this species are not so 
varied as those of other Titmice, the usual call being a 
harsh, churring string of cries, besides which the bird 
utters the usual si-si-si prevalent with all. ‘The Long- 
tailed Titmouse is famous for the beautiful nest it builds, a 
large, globular structure which for compact workmanship 
is unexcelled. Contrary to all the other British species of 
Tit, the present bird places its home in a low tree or bush, 
amongst thickets, in evergreens, or in a cluster of honey- 
suckle. It is usually made chiefly of moss and lichens, 
cemented together with cocoons and spiders’ webs, and 
lined with an abundance of feathers and hair. Usually 
one or two twigs are interwoven, and the entrance-hole is 
on one side near the top. The outer materials often 
harmonise most closely with surrounding objects. ‘The 
six to ten eggs are white, dusted with pale red and grey. 
The adult Long-tailed Titmouse has the head white, 
the crown encircled witha black band; the back is black, 
shading into rose-pink on the rump and scapulars ; the 
wings are black, the innermost secondaries with broad 
white margins ; the long tail is black, the three outermost 
feathers on each side white on the outer web and on part 
Pes 
