i2 4 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. \ 



pany, keeping up a shrill twit-twit, and following 

 one after another in a long line, as if perpetually 

 engaged in a game of " folio w-my-leader." 



The notes of this bird are very different from 

 those of any of the genus Parus, being soft and 

 weak, and audible only at a short distance. Their 

 sound, however, as Professor Newton has remarked, 

 suffices to assemble and keep together the flock; 

 and in spring the cock bird has a pleasing, though 

 feeble and short, song. 



The food of the Long-tailed Titmouse is com- 

 posed chiefly, if not entirely, of insects ; and an 

 examination of the stomachs of several specimens 

 procured in winter revealed the fact that at that 

 season they prey largely on minute Coleoptera. 

 During the cold weather they have been observed 

 to crowd together for warmth ; and, considering the 

 delicate appearance of these tiny birds, it is surprising 

 how many contrive to withstand the severity of an 

 English winter. It might naturally be supposed 

 that by the end of winter all these small birds, which 

 are chiefly, if not entirely, supported by insect food, 

 would find some difficulty in providing for their 

 wants, having consumed by their numbers and 



