146 THE VIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



employs feathers for that purpose. The eggs are 

 from five to seven or eight in number. The Marsh- 

 Titmouse is by no means abundant in any part of the 

 continent of Europe which I have visited, and in 

 Spain was found by us in the province of Santander 

 only. 



62. LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 



'Acredula caudata. 



This Titmouse, though not more abundant in North- 

 amptonshire than in many other parts of England, 

 is, I think, one of the best known of our small birds, 

 and the nest of the " Pudding-Bag," " Pudding- 

 Poke," or " Bottle-Tit," by all three of which names 

 it is commonly known to our country-people, is often 

 to be seen hung up as an ornament in our cottages. 

 Few days occur, after the fall of the leaf, upon which 

 I cannot make sure of finding this and the four 

 species last described without much search, and, in 

 the autumn and winter, where one of this species is 

 found it is pretty certain that more are not far off, as 

 the " Bottle-Tit " generally travels in family parties, 

 which follow their leader from tree to tree with an 

 undulating flight and constant twittering note, and 

 on alighting immediately begin a close investigation 

 of the smaller branches and twigs for insects. On a 

 warm sunny day in early spring the old whitethorn 

 bushes near the house at Lilford are sometimes alive 

 with our five species of Titmouse, besides Golden- 

 crested Wrens, Tree-Creepers, Nuthatches, and other 

 birds, and with a little caution all these may be 



