THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 29 



night, searching the twigs in every direction for 



insect food, which they entirely depend upon for 

 subsistence. 



COLE-TlT. 

 Parus ater, Linn. 



I meet with the Cole Tit but rarely, perhaps one 

 in the course of a year ; they are always the con- 

 tinental variety. There are no fir plantations in my 

 district to harbour the common species. 



MARSH TIT. 

 Parus palustris, Linn. 



I scarcely ever meet with the Marsh Tit in the 

 marsh. They breed in the low stubs in our woods, 

 and in winter time when the snow is on the ground, 

 I observe them feeding among the horse-droppings 

 in the roads by the woods. 



LONG-TAILED TIT. 



Acredula caudata (Linn.). 



The Long-tailed Tits, like some of the warblers, 

 have become very scarce. I seldom meet with them 

 now. Before the wet and cold summers set in they 

 were plentiful, building their beautiful domed nests in 

 our woods. 



