96 British Birds, 



LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE— (^^t^^?^/^ caudata ; 

 formerly, Parus caudattis). 



Long-tailed Ma^, Mum-ruffin, Bottle-tit, Bottle-Tom, 

 Long-tailed Capon, Long-tail Pie, Caper Long-tail, 

 Oven-builder, Poke-pudding, Mufflin, etc. etc. — The 

 beautiful, even wonderful nest of this little bird must 

 be well known to almost all nest-fanciers — oval, of 

 great size compared with the tiny architect ; built, 

 too, entirely by the female, wondrously compacted 

 with moss and wool, and " sparkling with lichens " 

 affixed to the outside, it affords access by one hole 

 only, on the upper part of one side, to the inside, most 

 warmly lined with feathers. So thoroughly is it 

 secured to the sticks which support it, that it is 

 scarcely possible to obtain an entire one without 

 cutting the sticks for removal also. The eggs are 

 often ten in number, and sometimes one or two more, 

 white, and very slightly specked with red, if at all. 

 What the little bird does with her long tail when 

 sitting, is a marvel.^ The young, when able to fly, 

 keep much together and with their parents ; and 

 often, when at rest, sit very close together on one 

 branch, so as to present a doubtful-looking feathery 

 lump to the observers eye. — Fig. 11 , plate III. 



1 It is said that tlie hen's long tail is cocked forward over her back 

 as she eits, and that it projects through Ihe hole iu the nest above 

 her bill. 



