242 INSESSORES. PARUS. TITMOUSE. 



a tree branch ; but occasionally amid the closer screen of a 

 fir, or the centre of a thick bush of woodbine or thorn. It is 

 of a longish oval form, composed of different lichens and wool 

 firmly and curiously interwoven, and lined with a profusion 

 of feathers. A small hole is left on two opposite sides of the 

 nest, not only for ingress and egress, but also to prevent the 

 bird, during incubation, from being incommoded by its long 

 tail, which then projects through one of the orifices. The 

 eggs usually amount to ten or twelve, and are white, with 

 fine reddish-brown specks, disposed about the larger end. 



The young, after quitting the nest, continue with their 

 parents during the autumn and winter, forming distinct 

 families, which separate early in spring, or as soon as the 

 influence of the pairing-season commences. The flight of this 

 bird, although usually confined to short distances, is very 

 rapid, and has not unaptly been compared to the passage of 

 a dart through the air. It is often seen in company with the 

 Gold-crested Regulus, and the others of its own tribe. Is 

 found throughout Europe, and the colder parts of Asia. 



PLATE 51. Fig. 5. Natural size. 

 General Bill short, and black. Irides brown. Edges of the eye- 

 ^ s 7 eu< ow. Forehead and crown of the head white. 

 From the bill, passing above each eye, are two streaks 

 of black, which join at the nape of the neck, and then 

 form one broad streak, which runs down the middle of 

 the back. The rest of the back, and the scapulars, are 

 rose-red. Quills black ; the secondaries deeply edged 

 with white. Cheeks and throat white, mixed with 

 grey. Under parts ash-grey, tinged with rose-red. 

 Tail cuneated, and very long ; the four middle feathers 

 black ; the two next tipped with white ; the remainder 

 with their outer webs and tips white. Legs and toes 

 brownish-black. 



