246 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



The Tropic Bird is at once distinguished by its two long 

 slender tail feathers. This is a bird of the air, and its length 

 of wing and comparatively feeble feet proclaim it formed for 

 flight. It is often met with a great distance away from land, 

 is well known to navigators, and is rarely observed on land 

 for any length of time. 



My last illustration is that of the tail of the Long-Tailed Tit, 

 and, as its name implies, its tail is a distinguishing feature. This 

 Tit is a member of the industrious and useful Titmice family. 

 The tail is very long and wedge-shaped, the lateral feathers 

 are white on the external barbs, and at their ends. It is worth 

 noticing, in conclusion, that this bird constructs probably the 

 most beautiful nest of any of our British Birds; the competition 

 for premier honours lies between it and the Chaffinch. Well 

 might I quote Longfellow's lines in closing: 



'Do you ne'er think what wondrous beings these? 

 Do you ne'er think who made them, and who taught 

 The dialect they speak, where melodies 

 Alone are the interpreters of thought? 

 Whose household words are songs in many keys, 

 Sweeter than instrument of man e'er caught, 

 Whose habitations in the tree tops even, 

 Are half-way houses on the road to heaven.' 



