io6 

 LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 



Acredula caudata (L.). 



Resident ; generally distributed ; fairly common. More frequently 

 in evidence in autumn and winter. 



There can be no doubt that the nest described in 1713 

 by Dr. Richardson of North Bierley in Yorkshire, as that of 

 the Goldcrest, was referable to the Long-tailed Tit, and 

 consequently this may be taken as the first reference to this 

 bird's connection with the county. (" Philosophical Transac- 

 tions," Vol. xxviii., p. 167.) 



Thomas A His, in 1844, wrote : 



Parus caudatus. Long-tailed Tit Frequent in most parts of the 

 county. R. Leyland observes that on the ist January 1837, a small 

 flock was observed in one of the streets in Halifax, the weather being 

 intensely cold. 



During the breeding season, which lasts from March to 

 July, the Long- tailed Titmouse is rather locally distributed, 

 being then usually found in the old wooded districts ; if the 

 Marsh Tit be excepted, it is perhaps the rarest of the family 

 which breeds with us, and it appears to be decreasing in the 

 East Riding. Throughout the rest of the year it is more 

 widely diffused, owing to its wandering proclivities, and 

 may be met with in localities where it is unknown as a breeder, 

 while there seems to be an influx of new comers from the 

 north of our islands in October, which makes the species 

 more common in the winter months. Although at times 

 it may be seen among the roaming flocks of other Tits, 

 Creepers, and small birds, in autumn and winter, most 

 observers agree that they explore the woods in family 

 parties, or sometimes in flocks ; I noticed very large 

 numbers while shooting in Grinkle Woods in January 1902. 

 The instance mentioned by Thomas Allis (see above), of 

 a -party of these birds being met with in the streets of 

 Halifax is not unique, as, during the winter of 1854-55, a 

 flock of nine was seen flying through the streets of 



