LONG-TAILED TIT. I I I 



observers, this is the ordinary habit of the species, and 

 not consequent on the piercing breath of winter ; for 

 Mr. Sinclair remarks that he was much entertained by 

 observing a family of about ten or twelve Long-tailed 

 Titmice going to roost in company, when each indivi- 

 dual endeavoured to get as near the middle of the group 

 as possible ; and that enviable position was no sooner 

 attained by a few than those from the outskirts used all 

 their efforts to insinuate themselves towards the centre, 

 and, foiled in this, next exerted their powers to avoid 

 being placed outside in all respects just the practice 

 noticed in winter. In the case of a pair kept in confine- 

 ment, it was noticed that every night the hen crept 

 close to her spouse, and, putting her head lovingly under 

 his wing, slept in peace and security. 



The nest of the Long-tailed Tit is considered to be the 

 most beautiful built by a British bird, and is constructed 

 by the female alone. It is oval in shape, with a small 

 hole for the bird to enter, and is composed of wool and 

 moss, with a lining of feathers. The eggs are white 

 speckled with red, and about the size of peas ; they are 

 usually ten to twelve in number ; but as many as 

 eighteen have been found in one nest. 



Mr. Dresser believes that "the present form of the 

 Long-tailed Tit is confined to the British Isles, and 

 that it never assumes the white head of the Continental 

 form." A local difference in the case of the English 

 Coal Tit has been similarly remarked. 



