50 IN BIRD-LAND 



Skeletons of birds are sometimes seen lying 

 about in the fields, and often, on examining these, 

 the skull will be seen to have a hole in it, which 

 shows that other Titmice of a disposition similar 

 to that referred to have been at their deadly work. 

 I once saw one biting leaves off a fruit tree as it 

 hopped about the branches, not taking any more 

 notice of them after they had fallen. I examined 

 some of these, and each one had signs of having 

 enclosed a small grub. 



Of these five species of Titmice two very seldom 

 leave the woods to go near inhabited dwellings. 

 The Long-tailed and Marsh-Titmice seem to like 

 the seclusion of wild Nature ; the latter is seldom 

 seen in company of other birds, while the former 

 goes about in small family parties, and these fly in 

 single file from tree to tree with a dipping motion, 

 the effect being somewhat striking. Their call, 

 while thus travelling, is very much like the Golden- 

 crested Wren's, and might be given as zee, zee, zee. 



In thick bushes, in woods, and hedgerows the 

 Long-tailed Titmouse builds its nest, this being 

 probably without exception the most beautiful of 

 British birds' nests. The compactness, combined 

 with the skilful arrangement of the lichens on the 

 exterior, is wonderful indeed, when one considers 

 the tiny beak that formed these into such ariistic 



